Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis amongst the tribal population of Madhya Pradesh, central India.

Background: This was a prevalence survey of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) disease in the tribal population of Madhya Pradesh state, central India.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional tuberculosis (TB) disease prevalence survey was undertaken among adults aged > or = 15 years in the tribal population of Madhya Pradesh. A multistage stratified cluster sampling was adopted. A representative random sample of villages predominated by tribal populations was selected from 11 districts. All eligible individuals were questioned for chest symptoms relating to TB. Sputum samples were collected from all eligible individuals, transported to the laboratory, and examined by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) smear microscopy and solid media culture methods.

Results: Of the 23,411 individuals eligible for screening, 22,270 (95.1%) were screened for symptoms. The overall proportion of symptomatic individuals was 7.9%. Overall prevalence (culture and/or smear positive) of PTB was 387 [95% confidence interval (CI): 273-502] per 100,000 population. The prevalence increased with age and was also significantly higher among males (554/100,000; 95% CI: 415-693) as compared with females (233/100,000; 95% CI: 101-364) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that the TB situation amongst the tribal population is not that different from the situation among the non-tribal population in the country. However, TB remains a major public health problem amongst the tribal population and there is a need to maintain and further strengthen TB control measures on a sustained and long-term basis.