Study of Various Practices of Tuberculosis Patients for Protection of Contacts, and Sputum Disposal Methods

BACKGROUND
\nIndia is the country with the highest burden of tuberculosis patients. Tuberculosis
\npatients are the source of generation of new patients. So, practices of patients
\nbecome the important in the spread of infection in community. We wanted to study
\nthe practices of sputum disposal of tuberculosis patients and their practices for
\nprevention of spread of the disease within the family.
\nMETHODS
\nThis descriptive analytical cross-sectional study has been conducted in a tertiary
\ncare center of west Rajasthan (India) among patients of tuberculosis.
\nRESULTS
\nIn our study 50.00% patients used to dispose their sputum in dustbins. While
\n13.73% patients used to dispose their sputum by burying or covering with soil.
\n10.78% of patients used to spit indiscriminately. Safe sputum disposal (burning or
\nburying) was acquired by only 14.70% patients. Out of 102 patients 47.06%
\nfollowed practices of self-isolation as a preventive measure for tuberculosis.
\n28.43% patients do not practice or don`t know about any practices for prevention
\nof tuberculosis. Covering the face while coughing was practiced by 23.52%
\npatients.
\nCONCLUSIONS
\nAwareness of the TB patients about the safe practices of sputum disposal and
\nprotection of others is very poor in the region. So, some intervention regarding
\npreventive part is also required along with the effective treatment strategies.