Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis amongst thebaigas A primitive tribe of Madhya Pradesh, Central India.

ABSTRACT

Background: A community-based cross-sectional tuberculosis (TB) disease prevalence survey was undertaken amongst the Baiga primitive tribal community of Baiga Chak in central India. Material and Methods: A population of 2,359 was covered under the study. Sputum samples were collected from chest symptomatics and examined for smear microscopy and culture. Results: Overall prevalence of PTB was 146 (95% C.I 0 - 318) per 100,000 population. Conclusion: The findings suggest that TB is not a major public health problem amongst this tribal group. However, there is still the need to maintain and further strengthen TB control measures on a sustained and long term basis in the area.