Analysis of surveillance data of revised national tuberculosis control programme of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Background: The annual risk of tuberculosis infection is 1.9% in Himachal Pradesh against a national average of 1%. Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in Kangra was introduced in October, 1998. We analyzed the five year (2001-2005) RNTCP surveillance data from Kangra to evaluate the performance of the programme. Methods: We collected data from all the five tuberculosis units the district. We calculated the following indicators-Case detection rate, tuberculosis cases by category-New smear positive (or smear negative but seriously ill) defaulters, relapses and failures, extra-pulmonary and new smear negative cases. We compared the results with Himachal Pradesh and India. We employed the standardized programme indicators-sputum positivity, cure, death, failure and default rates. Results: Extra pulmonary cases ranged in between 56-73%, normal being 15-20%. The highest Category-1 varies from 42%-48%. New smear positive case detection rates (78%-90%) and cure rates (88%-91%) were the highest as compared to figures of the state and country. Failure rate was maximum in Kangra TU-6.5% and the default rate was 7.2% in TU Palampur. The tuberculosis cases have fallen down from 6462/lac in 1999 to 2195/lac in 2005 following the introduction of RNTCP in 1999. Age specific (15-55 years) and sex wise males were more affected than the females (59%-64%) Conclusion: Continue investment in the programme to sustain progress achieved. Investigate the cause of high proportion of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Investigate Kangra TU unit with a high default rate.