Abstract
Background: Despite the availability of treatment and a vaccine, tuberculosis continues to be a public health problem worldwide. In India Tuberculosis is still considered as a disease of social stigma.
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of association of psychiatric disorders and tuberculosis among female TB patients and to what extent it affects their lives.
Methods: It was a prospective study for two years of duration.1000 newly diagnosed female TB cases attending OPD of King George’s Medical University, UP, Lucknow registered and treated under Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) for treatment were included in the study. After taking informed consent of the patients, a pre-designed questionnaire was used for socio- demographic variables along with psychiatric disorders in detail. Results were analyzed statistically.
Results: Most of the patients were married and literate. Symptoms like depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies as well as unspecified psychiatric disorder were seemed to be more prevalent. Alcohol and drug dependence was also found. These patterns for depression and general psychological distress were consistently documented. Depression was found to be more prevalent among working women. Most of the patients had experienced loss self confidence. Our findings indicate limited community support for women with TB. The detailed results of this study will be discussed during the meeting.
Conclusion: Efforts to enhance the gender sensitivity of health services and to promote community awareness of TB.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA4621.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019