Occurrence and prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in rural communities in Narsingdi, Bangladesh

Tuberculosis is a chronic communicable disease. Infections are initially asymptomatic and latent but eventually progresses to active disease, which, if left untreated, may have ≥50% mortality. In 2011, an antituberculosis drug resistance survey in Narsingdi, Bangladesh enrolled both new and retreatment patients. In the study, a number of villages were randomly selected and 264 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients were identified. All the patients received treatment with standardized first-line drug (FLD) regimens and were investigated to document treatment efficiency. Among the patients, 130 were reported in lower income, 117 in medium income and only 17 in higher income group. Farmers (95%) in low income group, and female housewives (68%) in medium income group were mostly infected. Silicosis and malnutrition were assumed responsible for high PTB cases in farmers and housewives respectively. Males were more prone to PTB and the ratios of male to female patients were found to increase with increasing age. The working youth group (25-34) and older people (above 64) were found most vulnerable. PTB patients in Bangladesh had high recurrence and death rates even after treatment with standardized FLD regimens, reinforcing the need for early survey, diagnosis and treatment, including assessment of treatment outcomes.