Sputum collection and disposal among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in coastal South India

T. Rekha, P. Singh, B. Unnikrishnan, P. Prasanna Mithra, N. Kumar, K. D.V. Prasad, V. Raina, M. Kumar Papanna, V. Kulkarni

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Safe sputum disposal practices minimise the spread of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). OBJECTIVES: To study the perceptions and practices of sputum disposal among PTB patients. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted among 206 diagnosed sputum-positive TB patients registered in selected DOTS centres in Mangalore. RESULTS: Safe sputum disposal practice was followed by 50% of the subjects: it was higher among females (62%), patients of middle socio-economic status (75.5%) and those with a family history of TB (70%). Furthermore, 75% patients believed that TB was caused by several factors. CONCLUSIONS: High proportions of subjects were unaware about the causes of TB and did not practise safe disposal of sputum.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)621-623
Number of pages3
JournalInternational Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume17
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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