Sputum collection and disposal among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in coastal South India [Short communication

Abstract

Safe sputum disposal practices minimise the spread of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). To study the perceptions and practices of sputum disposal among PTB patients. This study was conducted among 206 diagnosed sputum-positive TB patients registered in selected DOTS centres in Mangalore. Safe sputum disposal practice was followed by 50% of the subjects: it was higher among females (62%), patients of middle socio-economic status (75.5%) and those with a family history of TB (70%). Furthermore, 75% patients believed that TB was caused by several factors. High proportions of subjects were unaware about the causes of TB and did not practise safe disposal of sputum.