DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH DRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS IN KARACHI

Abstract

Background: The emergence of drug resistance to TB has overburdened TB-related health issues, especially in low-income settings. Several demographic and socioeconomic factors influence compliance and other causes of the emergence of drug resistance in the TB population. Access to care is hindered by several factors which need investigation to be highlighted for resolution. This study was undertaken to assess the demographic and socioeconomic factors of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Sindh, Pakistan

Material and Methods: This Cross-sectional study was conducted at The Indus Hospital, Karachi for six months. Data on patient demographics, e.g., age, gender, BMI, socioeconomic conditions, e.g., salary, number of people and rooms in the house, literacy level, etc. and type of TB (MDR, pre-XDR, or XDR) was entered onto a pro forma and analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Frequencies were calculated and reported in results as percentages.

Results: A total of 118 patients were enrolled in the study, of which 84% had MDR TB. Most patients were female (51.7%), and the median age was 31.5 years. The median salary was PKR 17,500 (USD 98.5), the illiterate population (having education less than the primary level) was 42.4%, and most people lived in houses with two rooms, with a median of 7 people in one place.

Conclusion: Since it was seen that MDR TB was more often associated with people having low income, overcrowding, and higher illiteracy rates, it was felt that it is needed to increase the awareness of the target population towards the importance of TB treatment and compliance, and also possibly to encourage having small families to avoid overcrowding and consequently reduce the vulnerability of patients towards MDR TB.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Drug resistance, MDR, XDR, Demographics