Prevalence of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in different ethnic groups in India: evaluation of public health.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in a high-risk rural area of central India.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of primary data.

METHODS

In total, 10,963 sputum smears were screened from Hindu tribes (n = 4032), Hindu non-tribal (n = 5445) and Muslim communities (n = 1486) between 2004 and 2009. Smears were recorded as positive or negative for tubercle bacilli following staining with acid-fast bacilli, in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization. Age- and gender-specific prevalence rates and relative risks (RR) were calculated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 13.0.

RESULTS

The prevalence of TB was found to be significantly higher in Hindu tribes compared with Hindu castes and Muslims (P < 0.005). The overall RR of developing smear-positive disease was 1.4-fold higher (95% confidence interval 1.1-1.7; P < 0.005) in males than females in all the study groups. The highest prevalence of TB was observed in subjects aged 15-34 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Hindu tribes and males of working age are still at high risk of smear-positive TB.