Risk factors and perceptions about coronavirus disease among tuberculosis patients in Delhi, India: a cross-sectional study

Sharma, Priyanka; Khokhar, Anita

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) co-infection can increase the severity among affected patients. This study was conducted to study the burden, risk factors and perceptions of COVID-19 among TB patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among TB patients at one of the Directly Observed Short Course (DOTS) centre of Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) of Delhi, India. Information regarding socio-demographic profile, TB disease profile, history of COVID-19 and perceptions about TB and COVID-19 co-infection was collected. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 107 study participants were enrolled. Twenty-two TB patients (20.6%) never got tested for COVID-19. Two TB patients out of 107 study participants had COVID-19 in past. Both were males in age group of 30-44 years, had drug sensitive TB and were having pre-existing co-morbidities. Transmission routes of TB and COVID-19 were not known to about half of the study participants. Approximately 42.1% study participants perceived TB patients to be at higher risk of COVID-19 and majority study participants agreed that they should follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. However, helpline numbers for COVID-19 were not known to most of the study participants. CONCLUSION: One-fifth of TB patients were never tested for COVID-19 inspite of the bi-directional screening guidelines for TB patients. Guidelines need to be practised stringently to find out true burden of co-infection. As the two TB patients who had COVID-19 in past already had other co-existing co-morbidities as risk factors, whether TB enhances the risk for coronavirus infection independently needs further research.