Socio-economic impact of parental tuberculosis on children.

Geetharamani, S.; Muniyandi, M.; Rajeswari, R.; Balasubramanian, R.; Theresa, X.; Venkatesan, P.

Indian Journal of Tuberculosis; 2001; 48; 91-94.          

Summary : The impact of parental pulmonary tuberculosis on children was studied from a larger study of socio-economic effects of the disease. The effect in children was studied in respect of 1) social, economic and demographic characteristics of the parents (who were patients), 2) the child care functions of mothers who were patients and 3) effect on children's education.

     In all, 276 children of 167 tuberculous parents were studied. The socio-economic and demographic characteristics were generally the same as are commonly seen. The child caring on the part of mothers fell from 64% to 35% for rural females and from 74% to 33% for urban females; 11% of children (8% rural, 13% urban) dropped out of school, significantly higher in families with 5 or more members and children living with both parents compared to single parent; 34% of study parents could not buy school books or adequate food because of loss of income and 20% of the children were obliged to take up jobs in order to supplement income.

Key words : Parental tuberculosis, Socio-economic impact, Tuberculosis in mothers, Tuberculosis affecting child care and education

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