IJE Advance Access originally published online on June 9, 2009
International Journal of Epidemiology 2009 38(4):1026-1032; doi:10.1093/ije/dyp222
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Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis amongst the tribal population of Madhya Pradesh, central India
1Regional Medical Research Centre for Tribals (Indian Council of Medical Research), P.O. Garha, Jabalpur, India.
2Tuberculosis Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), Chennai, India.
3Office of the World Health Representative to India, New Delhi, India.
*Corresponding author. Regional Medical Research Centre for Tribals (Indian Council of Medical Research), Nagpur Road, P.O. Garha, Jabalpur 482003 (M.P.), India. E-mail: drjyothibhat{at}rediffmail.com
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Background This was a prevalence survey of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) disease in the tribal population of Madhya Pradesh state, central India.
Methods A community-based cross-sectional tuberculosis (TB) disease prevalence survey was undertaken among adults aged
15 years in the tribal population of Madhya Pradesh. A multistage stratified cluster sampling was adopted. A representative random sample of villages predominated by tribal populations was selected from 11 districts. All eligible individuals were questioned for chest symptoms relating to TB. Sputum samples were collected from all eligible individuals, transported to the laboratory, and examined by Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) smear microscopy and solid media culture methods.
Results Of the 23 411 individuals eligible for screening, 22 270 (95.1%) were screened for symptoms. The overall proportion of symptomatic individuals was 7.9%. Overall prevalence (culture and/or smear positive) of PTB was 387 [95% confidence interval (CI): 273–502] per 100 000 population. The prevalence increased with age and was also significantly higher among males (554/100 000; 95% CI: 415–693) as compared with females (233/100 000; 95% CI: 101–364) (P < 0.001).
Conclusion The findings suggest that the TB situation amongst the tribal population is not that different from the situation among the non-tribal population in the country. However, TB remains a major public health problem amongst the tribal population and there is a need to maintain and further strengthen TB control measures on a sustained and long-term basis.
Keywords Tuberculosis, tribal, central India
Accepted 5 May 2009