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

2 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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