A Study of Socio-Economic Status (SES) Associated with Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in General Population of District Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan

Abstract

Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) is endemic in Pakistan ranking fifth amongst the twenty two endemic countries. Historically, TB has been associated with poverty and low socioeconomic status (SES). This study focuses on the association of SES with prevalence of TB in general population of district Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Government and Private health care centers during 2010-2013 in district Buner, KPK. TB rates were calculated in relation to SES. Result: The data analysis resulted in 1079 positive cases consisting male (n = 445, 41.24%) and female n = (634); 58.8%. The highest occurrence of TB (306/1079: 28.4%) was observed in the group 15 - 45 years followed by the group below 15 years (85/1079:7.9%) in males. The female group in range of 15 - 45 years (251/1079: 23.3%) had maximum TB followed by the group above 45 years (235/1079: 21.8%). The male patients with no education were more in number (152/445: 34.16%) to TB infection as compared to patients with primary (124/445: 27.9%), secondary (111/445: 34.16%) and higher education (58/ 445: 13%). Likewise the highly qualified female patients suffered only 3.5% from TB where as those having no education had maximum infection (49%) followed by primary educated (37.85%) patients. The minimum number of patients (300/1079: 27.8%) suffering from TB were reported in high income family followed by middle (325/1079: 30%) and low income (454/1079: 42%) families. The maximum incidence of TB (320/1079: 28.7%) was found in 2010 followed by 2011 (289/1079: 26.8%), 2012 (268/1079: 24.7%) and 2013 (213/1079: 19.7%) respectively. Conclusions: This result shows that there is deep association between the TB infection and the SES among the public. High infection rates of TB in district Buner may reflect ignorance, no early medical care, poor hygiene, poor nutritional status, economic depressions, lack of proper health facility and knowledge regarding the...