Prevalence of Addiction among Tuberculosis Patients

Abstract

Background : India accounts for about a quarter of the global TB burden. Worldwide India is the country with the highest burden of both TB and MDR TB. Smoking and alcohol use results in sub-optimal response to anti tuberculosis treatment as well as poor prognosis Alcoholism and Nicotine abuse contribute significantly to the development and treatment course of tuberculosis in patients. Aim of the Study: To assess the Prevalence of Nicotine and Alcohol Addiction among Tuberculosis Patients and to monitor the effect of Brief Counselling Sessions for the De-addiction of Alcohol and Nicotine in the management of Tuberculosis Patients. Material & Methods: We had taken the tuberculosis patients coming to the OPD of Medicine and Respiratory Medicine Departments of DrRMLIMS, Lucknow. We used questionnaires for assessing the Nicotine Dependence and Alcohol dependence among the tuberculosis patients (Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire), The Alcohol use disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Results: Prevalence of Addiction among tuberculosis patient-54 cases out of 447 total cases (April to October). In our study, we found addiction in 45 males and 9 females, Smoking addiction was seen in 13 tuberculosis patients, alcohol addiction was found in 17 tuberculosis patients, and both smoking and alcohol addiction was seen in 24 patients. Conclusion: Nicotine and Alcohol Addiction problem in Tuberculosis patients should be effectively assessed through the nicotine addiction and AUDIT scales and Brief Cognitive Therapy should be introduced along with regular ATT for effective management of such patients.