PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF TUBERCULOSIS IN TWIN CITIES OF PAKISTAN: A PROBLEM WITH A COLD SHOULDER

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB)is acknowledged as a global health problem. It is a major public health problem in Pakistan and it has been one of the ignored health areas. Objective: To check the prevalence and risk factors linked with tuberculosis in twin cities of Pakistan (Rawalpindi and Islamabad). Design: The Cross sectional study. Setting: In Rawalpindi General Hospital and Federal Government Poly Clinic (FGPC) hospital Islamabad. Duration: For the year 2016. Methods: To identify possible current TB risk factors, A questionnaire-based survey was managed on weekly basis throughout in 2016. To assess possible risk factors, a pre-structured questionnaire was designed. ANOVA was performed to calculate significance at 95% confidence intervals. Results: The sample (n= 1087) consist of all TB patients recorded in four years (2013-2016). Due to social and cultural values, TB prevalence was gradually increasing in females. Prevalence increased in males with age while adult females (21-30) were more receptive. A significantly (p