Pulmonary tuberculosis; frequency of smear positive in private laboratories of Sargodha outside the TB-DOTS programme

ABSTRACT

To assess the frequency of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients diagnosed at private laboratories of Sargodha not included in the national DOTS [Direct Observational Therapy Short Course] programme. A retrospective study. Private laboratories of Sargodha from January 2007 to December 2012. Data analysis of 3952 patients who reported to private laboratories of Sargodha for staining of sputum for AFB was carried out. They were all self reporting and were either suspects of pulmonary tuberculosis or had a history of contact with a smear positive case of TB. Staining was done by Ziehl-Neelson method. The smear results were reported as positive or negative. Out of total 3952 specimens 373 [9.21%] were found to be positive for the presence of acid fast bacilli. From these 373 positive cases 164 [44%] were female and 209 [56%] were males. The age group most frequently associated with the smear positive result was aged > 55 years [13.89%] followed by age < 15 years [10%]. A large number of smear positive patients are diagnosed in private sector. These patients are not registered in DOTS programme of World Health Organization. Their number is not included in the calculating the prevalence TB in our country. It is recommended that TB case notification should be made mandatory by law by private sector health care providers