A study on tuberculosis disease disclosure patterns and its associated factors: Findings from a prospective observational study in Chennai

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280812
• Publication Date: 2023-01-26T18:44:40Z
• Authors: Karikalan Nagarajan; Malaisamy Muniyandi; Senthil Sellappan; Srimathi Karunanidhi; Keerthana Senthil...; Bharathidasan Palani; Lavanya Jeyabal; Rajendran Krishnan
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Science; Q; R; India; Disclosure; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Socio Behavioral; Medicine; Humans; Tuberculosis; Family; Prospective Studies; Contact Tracing; Research Article

Background Disclosure of tuberculosis (TB) status by patients is a critical step in their treatment cascade care. There lack systematic assessment TB disclosure patterns and its positive outcomes which happens dynamically over the disease period individual with family wider social network relations. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted Chennai Corporation units during 2019–2021. were recruited followed-up from initiation to completion. Information on disclosures made different members at time points, collected compared. Bivariate multi variate analysis used identify contact characteristics predictive status. Results A total 466 followed-up, who listed 4039 family, extra familial contacts them. Maximum (93%) half relatives, occupational friendship (44–58%) disclosed within 15 days initiation. Incremental 150–180 highest among neighbourhood (12%), significantly between completion period. Middle aged (31 years 46–55 years) found less likely disclose (AOR 0.56 0.46 respectively; p<0.05) illiterates more 3.91; p<0.05). Post disclosure, have mostly provided resource support (44.90%) two third all emotional for (>71%). Conclusion Findings explain that level predominant increased latter part treatment. Emotional predominantly received post disclosure. could inform developing interventions facilitate beneficial way patients.