Relationship between Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Malnutrition in Urban Slums of Howrah District

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in low and middle-income countries like India.Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, TB continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality, exacerbated by malnutrition, which compromises immune function and increases susceptibility to infections.Urban slum areas, characterized by poor access to nutritious food, inadequate sanitary conditions, and limited healthcare resources, exhibit a higher burden of malnutrition and TB.Howrah, a densely populated district in West Bengal, is known for its extensive slum areas, where residents face significant health disparities driven by economic instability and lack of social support systems.This study conducted in the urban slums of Howrah district explores the relationship between pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and malnutrition, revealing that 43.75% of TB patients were malnourished, with males being disproportionately affected.A significant association was observed between malnutrition and gender.Furthermore, 31.25% of patients did not receive benefits under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY), a critical support scheme for TB patients, exacerbating poor nutritional outcomes.Behavioral risk factors such as tobacco chewing (30.21%) and alcohol consumption (9.38%) were prevalent and further deteriorated the health conditions of the patients.These findings highlight the pressing need for ensuring universal access to NPY benefits and addressing malnutrition through gender-sensitive nutritional support programs and awareness campaigns.Interventions targeting risk behaviors like tobacco and alcohol use are also essential to improve the overall health and treatment outcomes for TB patients in these vulnerable urban communities.