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

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013 May;17(5):621-3. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.12.0495.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Awareness
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Directly Observed Therapy
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • India
  • Male
  • Medical Waste Disposal*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Perception
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Specimen Handling*
  • Sputum / microbiology*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / transmission

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Medical Waste Disposal