Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a persistent infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). It ranks among the ten most significant infectious diseases globally. Despite being preventable and treatable, TB remains a significant public health issue in India. The present study was carried out to assess the status of screening for TB in the family members and Isoniazid Prophylaxis Therapy (IPT) provided to under 6 years of age among the family of TB patients registered in DOTS Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh during 2019-20 and to assess the impact of Health Education Package among non-screened family members of registered TB patients. Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance from the ethical committee, 80 registered PTB patients taking treatment or completed during July 2019-July 2020 at DOTS Centre, PGIMER, and Chandigarh were identified by employing survey Performa and 50 registered TB patients fulfilling the criteria were enrolled by purposive sampling technique. 240 family members of 50 registered pulmonary Tuberculosis patients were interviewed telephonically after obtaining written consent via Google form. Semi structured interview schedule was used to collect socio demographic data and checklist to assess the screening status of Tuberculosis for adults and IPT status for less than 6 years of children. Health Education Package was also developed and for missing cases 3 follow ups were done and in each follow up Health Education package was imparted telephonically to symptomatic, non- screened family members to motivate them for screening and for initiation of IPT to children below 6 years of age. Results: The findings showed that all registered TB patients took treatment. Majority (98%) of family members were not having any signs and symptoms of PTB and 5(2%) were symptomatic and undergone screening. 3(60%) of the symptomatic family members were found sputum smear positive on screening and started with DOTS therapy. In all 19 less than 6 years of age children eligible for IPT, 14(73%) of them had taken IPT and 5 (27%) didn’t initiated with IPT. The parents were motivated via Health Education Package for risk evaluation of children to initiate IPT at near by DOTS centre. However ,the results for risk assessment were minimal as the patients in these 5 families had already completed treatment with sputum smear negative result & hence there was no need for IPT. Conclusion: Screening and IPT services for family members of patients with TB registered under DOTS are functioning well. Health Education Package developed in the study had got impact for motivating people for screening and initiation of IPT to under 6 years of age children.

Keywords: Tuberculosis (TB), Screening, IPT, Health Education, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)

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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a persistent infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). It ranks among the ten most significant infectious diseases globally. Despite being preventable and treatable, TB remains a significant public health issue in India. The present study was carried out to assess the status of screening for TB in the family members and Isoniazid Prophylaxis Therapy (IPT) provided to under 6 years of age among the family of TB patients registered in DOTS Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh during 2019-20 and to assess the impact of Health Education Package among non-screened family members of registered TB patients. Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance from the ethical committee, 80 registered PTB patients taking treatment or completed during July 2019-July 2020 at DOTS Centre, PGIMER, and Chandigarh were identified by employing survey Performa and 50 registered TB patients fulfilling the criteria were enrolled by purposive sampling technique. 240 family members of 50 registered pulmonary Tuberculosis patients were interviewed telephonically after obtaining written consent via Google form. Semi structured interview schedule was used to collect socio demographic data and checklist to assess the screening status of Tuberculosis for adults and IPT status for less than 6 years of children. Health Education Package was also developed and for missing cases 3 follow ups were done and in each follow up Health Education package was imparted telephonically to symptomatic, non- screened family members to motivate them for screening and for initiation of IPT to children below 6 years of age. Results: The findings showed that all registered TB patients took treatment. Majority (98%) of family members were not having any signs and symptoms of PTB and 5(2%) were symptomatic and undergone screening. 3(60%) of the symptomatic family members were found sputum smear positive on screening and started with DOTS therapy. In all 19 less than 6 years of age children eligible for IPT, 14(73%) of them had taken IPT and 5 (27%) didn’t initiated with IPT. The parents were motivated via Health Education Package for risk evaluation of children to initiate IPT at near by DOTS centre. However ,the results for risk assessment were minimal as the patients in these 5 families had already completed treatment with sputum smear negative result & hence there was no need for IPT. Conclusion: Screening and IPT services for family members of patients with TB registered under DOTS are functioning well. Health Education Package developed in the study had got impact for motivating people for screening and initiation of IPT to under 6 years of age children.

Keywords: Tuberculosis (TB), Screening, IPT, Health Education, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)

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Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.