Socioeconomic Conditions Contributing to Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) and Extremely Drug Resistant(XDR) Tuberculosis

Abstract

. Background: Tuberculosis is also known as a social disease.Overcrowding, malnutrition, poverty, and unhygienic living conditions especially in urban slums form a very conducive environment for spread of this airborne infection. Being diagnosed with drug resistant TB also has an impact on the social environment of the patient. Aims: To study socio economic conditions contributing to MDR/XDR Tuberculosis. To study impact of drug resistant TB on the social environ of the patient. Methodology: 26 patients diagnosed as MDR (23) or XDR (3) tuberculosis coming to tertiary care Hospital were subjected to a detailed questionnaire regarding the socio economic background and the following results were obtained. Result: Socioeconomic Conditions Contributing to MDR and XDR tuberculosis -* 84% of the Patients lost their employment after being diagnosed as MDR/XDR tuberculosis. Out of which 76% of the patients belonged to the productive age group of 18 to 35. Also 4 children dropped out of school. Housing, Ventilation and other contributing factors.:-46% of the patients who lived in temporary shanties and houses with shared bathrooms and toilets contributing to overcrowding with very poor sanitation. These structures had poor cross ventilation.and 25% out of these patients lived near the industrial areas with polluted neighborhood. Conclusion: Drug resistant tuberculosis is more common in low income groups. Poor quality housing and unhygienic living conditions were common. 84% lost their source of income due to illness, this included youth in productive age group. More than 1/3rd of the patients perceived social stigma and isolation.