A Study to Determine The Incidence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Urban Slum Areas of Ram Nagar (North Belagavi) - An Observational Study

Abstract

Background Tuberculosis is one of most prominent mycobacterium diseases. It kills more people than any other infectious disease in the world. The worldwide mortality rate of tuberculosis is around 2 million per year and nearly 0.5 million people die from it. Low socio-economic status is considered a significant risk factor for tuberculosis. Objectives To determine the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in urban slum areas of Ram Nagar North Belagavi.Methods This observational study included 70 families 325 subjects of both sexes and all age groups in urban slum areas of Ram Nagar Belagavi. Subjects were interrogated with a self-structured questionnaire related to symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis and categorized into three parameters i.e. positive cases suspected cases and cases already on tuberculosis medication. Results The study revealed that out of 325 interrogated subjects seven were suspected of tuberculosis. Out of seven suspected cases three were found to be tuberculosis-positive and out of the three positive cases one subject was already taking medication. Conclusion In this study 2ndash3 of people were suspected of tuberculosis. This shows the relation between low socio-economic status and tuberculosis as reported in slum areas of Ram Nagar Belagavi. Therefore preventive programs are necessary to tackle such rising tubercular infections.