Tuberculosis incidence in Saharia tribe of Madhya Pradesh and its implications for public health interventions

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a major public health threat in India, particularly among marginalized communities such as the Saharia tribe in Madhya Pradesh. This study presents a district-wise analysis of TB incidence within this vulnerable population. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2018 and March 2021 across seven Sahariadominant districts in Madhya Pradesh, India encompassing 1,814 villages and 120,896 households. Individuals aged 15 years and above ( n = 324,474) were screened, with 57,174 undergoing TB testing. Presumptive TB cases were identified through systematic screening and confirmed a TB case via sputum smear microscopy and molecular diagnostictest such as NAAT. Among 57,174 individuals tested, 6,052 were confirmed as newlydiagnosedTB cases. The TB incidence rate across the districts averaged 1,865 per 100,000 individuals, with the 95% confidence interval ranging from 1,818 to 1,911. The study highlights a critical TB burden among the Saharia tribe. The marked inter-district variation underscores the need for geographically tailored public health strategies. Strengthening early detection, enhancing treatment access and fostering community engagement are essential to reducing TB incidence and improving health outcomes in this marginalized population.