TO SEE THE IMPACT OF LOCKDOWN IN COVID19 PANDEMIC ON TUBERCULAR PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE OF HILLY AREA.

Abstract

Aim: To see the impact of lockdown in Covid19 Pandemic on Tubercular patients in a Tertiary care Centre of hilly area. Material and Methods: The study was conducted among adult patients in a tertiary health centre in a rural area. Study was conducted through lockdown period, comparing it with corresponding period in 2019. Tuberculosis patients or suspects were categorized in two groups. Group A was designated for participants in the year 2020 during lockdown period. Group B was data taken from time period similar to lockdown period in the year 2019. Data from two groups was compared. Observations: There was a 44.1% decline in number of male patients, whose sputum was examined by microscopy for tuberculosis. In case of female patients, decline was 68.6%. This decrease was present in all phases, more in 1st phase, 69.1%. During lockdown period number of patients presenting to medicine department were 45% compared to previous year ( 5129 vs 11280), sputum positive diagnosed during lockdown and similar period in 2019 were (84.4%) 27 vs 32 ( p 0.016). OPD declined by 54.5% during lockdown, however diagnosed tubercular cases by CBNAAT declined by 44.4%. Conclusion: COVID 19 pandemic greatly affected the routine healthcare services. Lockdown period saw a decline in number of patients presenting to outdoor as well as indoor patients. There was a decline in number of tuberculosis suspects as well as number of diagnosed tuberculosis patients. However decline in tuberculosis patients was less as compared to overall patients.