Prevalence and Statistical Analysis of Various Risk Factors of Tuberculosis in Balochistan, Pakistan

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading communicable disease in the world. TB is a potentially serious infection disease that mainly attack lungs. 27000 new cases have been emerging from Balochistan every year millions of people are affected and loose their lives. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and risk factors of tuberculosis patients enrolled in Provincial TB Control Program. Data are collected from health units of Quetta, Jafarabad, Gawadar, Noshki, Lasbela, and Loralai (Balochistan, Pakistan). Objective: • The aim of current study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of tuberculosis. • To see the effect of weather on tuberculosis in winter and summer. • Comparative study of Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary TB. • To create awareness in people of Balochistan against tuberculosis. Methods: A cross sectional study was designed over a period of six month (Jan to June) 2016 comprises two quarters, winter and summer in six districts of Balochistan, Pakistan. The data were collected from health clinics formed of Provincial TB Control Program Balochistan. A total of 2609 patients were screened systematically and diagnoses were based on clinical examination and bacteriological test. We also made comparison between pulmonary (PTB) and extrapulmonary (EPTB) tuberculosis in six major districts of Balochistan. Results: The prevalence of bacteriologically conformed of these 709 cases. Two quarters winter and summer comprises 370 and 339 patients respectively. In winter the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) (54.32%), and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) was (45.67%). The average age for pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis group were [15-24 (19.2%), and 25-34 (16.8%)]. In summer the prevalence of PTB (64.60%) and EPTB (35.39%). The age average for PTB and EPTB [15-24 (18.0%), & 25-34 (16.2%)]. In winter female or male was predominantly more infected by pulmonary TB (52.7%), while extrapulmonary tuberculosis was commonly detected in women (47.34%), (p = 0.423), and similarly for summer males and females was predominantly infected more by EPTB (58.3%), while PTB was commonly detected in women (53.42%), (p = 0.171).