AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF DRUG RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS CASES REGISTERED UNDER DOTS PLUS CENTER IN A RURAL BASED TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: Drug resistance in tuberculosis is a global problem and India is no exception to this. However, this rise is mainly among the previously treated cases as previous antituberculosis therapy is the single most important risk factor for the development of drug resistance. The worldwide prevalence of drug resistant tuberculosis is on the rise and multiple studies give varying data regarding the epidemiology of drug resistant tuberculosis. This study was taken up to determine the demographic profile of a patient, previous history of anti tubercular drug intake and pattern of drug resistant.
 Design: Prospective observational study.
 Methods and Materials: Patient who are Sputum positive, diagnosed drug resistant tuberculosis and fulfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria, admitted from March 2015 February 2016 in DOTS PLUS centre, BMCH, Burdwan. To accomplish the objectives, information was collected by personal interviews using pre-designed, pre-tested proforma. Data, so collected, was analyzed and tabulated using appropriate statistical software.
 Results: More than 2/3rd were males and majority were in age group 18-55 years, educated up to primary level, living in overcrowded and ill-ventilated houses belongs to upper lower and lower class (IV & V) on Kuppuswamy‘s SES 2014. Initially almost all had pulmonary TB. At the start of category II, maximum number of patients was relapse cases. The prime cause being financial crunch and lack of knowledge. Resistance to both rifampicin and isoniazide (MDR) was found in more than 2/3rd of cases. 3 patients (3%) were reactive for HIV in the study.
 Conclusion: In general even after considering so many diversified variables it could be stated that most of the patients perceived some degree of improvement in their condition following treatment.