Self-reported prevalence of tuberculosis and selected associated vulnerability factors among rural populations in six districts of India: A community-based cross-sectional study

Background Tuberculosis is a major public health challenge in India, contributing to one-fourth of global burden of TB disease. Comorbidities in uninfected individuals make them vulnerable to TB disease. This study estimates the self-reported prevalence of tuberculosis and selected vulnerability factors (HIV, current smoking, silicosis, occupational silica-dust exposure, diabetes mellitus and persistent cough >2 weeks) among the rural demography of six districts in India, with the aim of informing targeted active case finding under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). Methods The study conducted was a community-based cross-sectional survey carried out across six districts of India. Two blocks from each district was selected randomly followed by randomly selected villages under each block. A universal sampling technique was followed for including all the households of the randomly selected villages. The data were collected through a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire schedule via face-to-face interviews at all the eligible households of the study sites. Descriptive analysis was performed, and the results were obtained in the form of frequencies and percentages. Results The ultimate data consisted of 82,636 individuals, with males at 52% and females at 47%. 77% of the study population were 15 years of age or older. This study analyzes a large dataset. The TB prevalence was around 150 per lakh of the population, while the prevalence of HIV-reactive individuals, current smokers, silicosis, occupational exposure to silica dust, diabetes mellitus and cough of greater than two weeks is found in 0.9%, 5%, 1.2%, 1.1%, 1.4% and 4% respectively. Discussion and conclusion The study highlights TB status and selected TB-vulnerable groups. The study has a large sample size, and it follows multipronged approach to study selected vulnerable population groups. This data may improve targeted active case finding among the high-risk groups as outlined by NTEP and provide better TB control strategy outcome at high TB burden settings.