Ecological Analysis of Tuberculosis Patients’ – A Case Study of Karachi

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is endemic in Karachi, Pakistan, and even with the discovery of other infectious diseases no significant change is evident in its epidemiological profile while analyzing spatio-temporal incidence. There are significant evidences to support the fact that poverty is the main cause of TB. A number of scholarly analyses have documented associations among patients’ characteristics e.g. sex, age group, social, economic and ecological factors .The purpose of the present study is to investigate pattern of patients’ histories regarding recently and previously infected family members because people of the study area have revealed very serious concerns regarding their family members, especially their parent. In addition, the study has identified the more affected age groups and its relationship with income variations among the patients. Eleven selected variables have been employed in the present study for analysis on the basis of data having been compiled through structured and open–ended questionnaires conducted among TB patients at diagnostic centers. An insight into the variables reveals that lopsided, income distribution is of major significance in the purview of socioeconomic factors and is categorically responsible for the spread of tuberculosis in Karachi. The results of the present study can serve as a guideline for city authorities to improve living conditions and quality of life in the city as a whole especially in the down town areas.