The Impact of Physical Home Environment and Patient Age on Pulmonary Tuberculosis Incidence in Slum Settings

Abstract

Pulmonary tuberculosis continues to be a major public health issue in Indonesia and worldwide, aligning with sustainable health development goals. Among the five areas with high incidence rates, Kotabaru Regency is facing an increase in suspected cases, particularly in densely populated areas. In 2022, there was a noticeable rise in suspected cases of pulmonary TB, reaching 133, with 89 cases concentrated in the slums of Kotabaru Regency. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of factors such as the physical house environment and patient age on the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in the slums within the working area of the Dirgahayu Health Center in Kotabaru Regency for the year 2023. This analytical observational study utilized a case-control approach with 46 samples and employed instruments such as the Hygrometer, Luxmeter, and Rollmeter. The dependent variable was the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis, while independent variables included occupancy density, ventilation, home lighting, humidity, and age. Bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test and multivariate analysis using the Multiple Logistic Regression Test were conducted. The results of the Chi-Square test showed a correlation between age (p = 0.437), home lighting (p = 0.008), ventilation (p = 0.000), occupancy density (p = 0.003), and the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Home lighting, ventilation, and occupancy density demonstrated a significant correlation with tuberculosis incidence, while patient age did not have a substantial influence. Conclusions regarding humidity could not be drawn due to insufficient data that met the requirements. Ventilation was found to be the most influential variable, with an Exp(B) value of 10.961.