Examining Tuberculosis Cases Using Sputum Testing Across Two Tehsils of District Okara, Punjab, Pakistan (2019-2023)

Tuberculosis (TB) is an age-old ailment that continues to provide a significant obstacle in both emerging and developed nations in the present era. Each year, millions of individuals get tuberculosis and millions of lives are lost as a result. This research aimed to assess the frequency of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis cases with positive sputum smear among individuals suspected of having TB. The study was conducted from January 2019 to June 2023 in two tehsils of Okara district, Pakistan. A total of 2079 cases were recorded at THQ hospital Depalpur, with 91.10% being pulmonary tuberculosis patients 8.90% being extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients. At DHQ hospital Okara, a total of 1090 cases were registered, with 80.46% being pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 19.54% being extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients. 650 patients (31.26%) in THQ Hospital Depalpur and 315 cases (28.90%) in DHQ Hospital Okara tested positive for AFB. The disease burden in females was 53.10%, while in males it was 46.90% for TB diagnosis at THQ Hospital Depalpur. At DHQ Hospital Okara, 63.66% of cases were detected in females and 36.34% in males. The age group with the highest frequency was 46-60 years, with a documented rate of 39.50% at THQ Hospital Depalpur. DHQ Hospital Okara had a lower prevalence rate of 32.57%. The present investigation also observed a significant disease burden among individuals aged 46-60 years. The research sheds light on the demographics and clinical symptoms of tuberculosis patients. More research is required to understand the considerable differences reported in particular risk variables and problems associated with tuberculosis management.