Epidemiological Study of Utilization of National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme Services among Key TB Patients accessing Public Sector Facilities in Central Gujarat: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem in India, with certain vulnerable populations being at increased risk of TB and poorer treatment outcomes. Understanding the characteristics and treatment-related profile of these populations is important for TB care under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). Aim: To assess the utilization of NTEP services among key TB patients accessing public sector facilities. Material and methods: This observational record-based cross-sectional study included pulmonary TB patients aged >18 years registered as key TB patients over one year. Data were extracted from available programme records and analysed using SPSS version 26. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages and associations were tested using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, with p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 3279 notified TB patients, 789 (24.06%) belonged to key TB patients. The most common key TB patients were urban slum residents (337;42.71%) followed by persons with tobacco use (149; 18.88%) and diabetic patients (148; 18.76%). The majority were aged 18-40 years (414; 52.47%). 72.49% were males and 27.51% were females. Among key TB patients, 21 (2.66%) patients did not initiate treatment, while 10.94% patients died and 9.54% were recorded as loss to follow up as treatment outcome. Conclusion: Young adult males constituted the majority of key TB patients. Treatment delay, drug resistance, recurrent TB, death and loss to follow up were important concerns among key TB patients.