Prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Two Years Retrospective Study in the Northern Area of KP, Pakistan

Tuberculosis (TB), an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, accounts for considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. The current study provides an estimate of the prevalence of the bacteriologically positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) population in the northern area of KPK, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was designed for the suspected population of PTB and all the individuals were interviewed for symptoms suggestive of PTB diseases. Two sputum specimens were collected from all eligible individuals and were examined by Ziehl-Neelsen smear microscopy. A total of 959 and 820 eligible individual samples were collected in the year 2016 and 2017 (January to December), respectively. In the year 2016, 91 individuals were bacteriologically positive and the prevalence of PTB was found at 9.48 % (n-91) (45 % were male and 55 % were female). Similarly, in the year 2017, 52 individuals were bacteriologically positive and the prevalence of PTB was found at 6.34 % (48% were male and 52% were female). The highest prevalence of PTB was found within the age group 21-40 years 25.4% (n-45) (51.1% were male and 48.8% were female) and 42.3% (n-22) (54.5% were male and 45.4% were female) in the year 2016 and 2017 respectively. The highest infection rate in this group might be due in terms of their jobs and regular interaction with society. However, early diagnosis is crucial to prevent the multi-drug resistance cases of PTB and further strengthen the TB control program.