Health seeking behavior of in tuberculosis patients during COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in a tertiary care center

Abstract

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in India in 2020 having originated from China in late 2019. There is no study on the impact of covid management burden on tuberculosis (TB) management. Study on the effect of lockdown on TB management is also unknown. This is a pilot study. Method: It is hypothesised that only people who are severely symptomatic will get tested for TB and severely sick patients will get admitted during the lockdown period. Data from outpatient TB clinic and inpatient ward were analysed. Results: During the lockdown of 5 months saw severe fall in the attendance of the outpatient to 727 patients which was almost 44.44% of the pre lockdown patients, sputum positive among them were 160, positivity rate was 21.69. The total inpatients admission in the lockdown period of 6 months was 130 with average of 26 per month (36% of normal). The Wald chi-square for outpatient p=0.00 with CI=43.30-63.81. The Wald chi-square test for inpatient admission p=0.00 with CI=31.66-49.52. The results of inpatients admission showed that only sick and serious patients approached hospital in the lockdown period. Conclusions: The results in the outpatient setting showed that mild to moderate symptomatic patients may not seek consultation only severe cases approached healthcare leading to spread.