Socioeconomic inequalities of tuberculosis in India.

BACKGROUND

The association between poverty and tuberculosis (TB) is well established and widespread.

OBJECTIVE

To study the socioeconomic inequalities of TB in India.

METHODS

Information related to socioeconomic inequalities of TB in India was reviewed, including study of varying prevalence and infection, regional disparities and demographic disparities of disease of TB with a view to establish a link between TB and poverty, in terms of income, standard of living, house type and social class.

RESULTS

The burden of TB for India for the year 2000 was estimated to be 8.5 million and the annual risk of TB infection varied from 1 to 2%. The TB prevalence was significantly higher among people living below the poverty line compared with those above the poverty line (242 versus 149/100,000 population). Among the marginalized people, TB was 1.5 times more prevalent. TB was disproportionately high among the poor.

CONCLUSION

Poverty and inequality were very closely linked. Today's great health challenge is equity: accelerating health progress in poor and socially excluded groups.