The prevalence of tuberculosis in different economic strata: a community survey from South India.

Muniyandi, M.; Ramachandran, R.; Gopi, P.G.; Chandrasekaran, V.; Subramani, R.; Sadacharam, K.; Kumaran, P.; Santha, T.; Wares, F.; Narayanan, P.R.

International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease; 2007; 11; 1042-1045.

Summary: A cross-sectional socio-economic survey to assess the standard of living index (SLI) of a rural population in South India was undertaken along with a tuberculosis (TB) prevalence survey during 2004–2006. Of 32 780 households, the SLI was low, medium and high in 22%, 36% and 42%, and TB prevalence was 343, 169 and 92 per 100 000 population, respectively, a significant decrease

in trend ( P < 0.001); 57% of the TB patients had a low SLI and the prevalence of TB was higher amongst the landless ( P < 0 .001), those living below the poverty line ( P < 0.01) and in katcha houses ( P < 0.001), suggesting that TB disproportionately affects those with a low SLI.

Keywords: tuberculosis programme; prevalence; poverty; economic strata; standard of living index.

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