Prevalence of Tuberculosis Trends in District Abbottabad, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Survey: Prevalence of Tuberculosis Trends in District Abbottabad

Yasir Ishaq; Saima Manzoor; Muhammad Omar Malik; Asya Tauqir; Uswah Noor; Sabir  Rehman

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v7i1.3227

Authors

Yasir Ishaq Department of Physiology, Women's Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Saima Manzoor Department of Community Medicine, Women's Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Omar Malik Department of Physiology, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
Asya Tauqir Department of Community Medicine, Women's Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Uswah Noor Department of Community Medicine, Women's Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Sabir Rehman Department of Health, Provincial TB Control Program, Peshawar, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v7i1.3227

Keywords:

Tuberculosis, Prevalence, Healthcare Facilities, Survey

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern in Pakistan, with the country ranked sixth among high-burden developing nations. Significant regional disparities in TB incidence emphasize the importance of localized surveillance and targeted interventions. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of TB in District Abbottabad, explore variations by age and gender, and evaluate trends in TB cases reported by healthcare facilities between January 2022 and December 2023. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2024, utilizing secondary data from the TB Control Programme, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Purposive sampling included all registered pulmonary tuberculosis patients with positive sputum smear results (PTBSS). Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using frequency distributions, histograms, and bar charts to highlight case patterns and temporal trends. Results: In 2022, 810 new bacteriologically confirmed TB cases were reported in Abbottabad, increasing to 843 in 2023, representing a 4% rise. Male patients were more frequently affected, with male-to-female ratios of 1.07 and 1.17 in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The PPM ACD center reported the largest share of cases. Moreover, relapsed pulmonary TB cases rose from 78 to 96 between the two years, showing a 23% increase. The overall relapse rate (23%) was higher than the 11.2% previously reported from Pakistan. Conclusion: District Abbottabad demonstrates a persistent TB burden with a notable 23% rise in relapse cases, indicating gaps in treatment outcomes. Strengthening follow-up, improving adherence, and enhancing case detection in high-risk groups remain crucial for effective TB control.

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