Tuberculosis preventive treatment among the household contacts of tuberculosis patients - Coverage and correlates in a block of Murshidabad district, West Bengal: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: India started implementing tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) among all household contacts of Tuberculosis (TB) cases, as a globally accepted strategy for elimination of TB.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the extent of TPT coverage and adherence; ascertain the reasons for non-initiation and non-adherence; and to determine the correlates of coverage.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a block of Murshidabad district, West Bengal during September-November'2023. A calculated sample of 301 eligible household contacts of 'index cases' (microbiologically-confirmed drug-sensitive pulmonary TB) registered during October'22 to March'23 were studied. We interviewed the participants/respondents with pre-designed schedule and prior informed consent. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 20).

RESULTS: Of 301 contacts, 179(59.5%) individually traced/counseled at the household; 238 (79.1%) were screened for TB symptoms. TPT initiation was 74.8% (225/301) with 47.1% within seven days of treatment initiation of index case; TPT not offered by health personnel (59.2%) being major reason for non-initiation. Completion rate with adherence to full course was 69.3% (156/225); perceived lack of need (50.7%) and migration (21.7%) being major reasons for non-adherence. Overall coverage of full course TPT among total eligible contacts was only 51.8% (156/301). On multivariable logistic regression; male gender (aOR = 1.982; 95% CI = 1.004-3.915), contacts with individual tracing/counseling (aOR = 13.507; 95% CI = 6.781-26.906) and who had symptoms screening (aOR = 5.694; 95% CI = 2.223-14.587) predicted significantly higher TPT coverage.

CONCLUSION: Cascade of care indicators for TPT remains suboptimal in the area and indicates need for further strengthening of programmatic aspects of its implementation.