ISONIAZID PREVENTIVE THERAPY (IPT) COVERAGE AMONG HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS OF TUBERCULOSIS DIAGNOSED CASES ATTENDING DESIGNATED MICROSCOPY CENTRE (DMC) OF A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE INSTITUTION IN NORTHERN INDIA.
Main Article Content
Keywords
Tuberculosis, Isoniazid Preventive Therapy, Household contacts, Latent TB infection, TST, IGRA, NTEP.
Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major public health challenge in India, where household contacts of pulmonary TB patients are at an elevated risk of acquiring latent TB infection (LTBI). Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) is a key strategy recommended under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) to prevent progression to active TB. However, the uptake and completion of IPT among eligible contacts often remain suboptimal due to programmatic and patient-level barriers. Aim: To assess IPT coverage among household contacts of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB patients attending the Designated Microscopy Centre (DMC) of a tertiary healthcare institution in Northern India. Methods: A retrospective, record-based study was conducted at the DMC, SKIMS Medical College and Hospital, Bemina, from January 2022 to December 2023. Data were extracted from NTEP programmatic records, including TB laboratory registers, treatment cards, contact tracing forms, and IPT monitoring sheets. Demographic and clinical details of index patients, screening status of contacts using TST and IGRA, and IPT initiation and completion rates were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 272 TB patients and 109 household contacts were reviewed. Among contacts screened, 35 (32.1%) tested positive for LTBI. Of these, 30 (85.7%) initiated IPT, and all completed the full course, achieving a 100% completion rate. IPT recipients included 33.3% aged ≤18 years, 26.7% aged 19–30 years, and 40.0% aged >30 years, with equal distribution across genders. Conclusion: IPT initiation and completion rates were remarkably high in this setting, reflecting strong adherence support and effective follow-up. Strengthening systematic screening and preventive therapy among household contacts remains essential for reducing TB transmission and progressing toward TB elimination goals.
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Dr Heena Nazir
Assistant Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences & Research Centre,
Dr Tanzeela Bashir Qazi
Senior Resident, Dept of Community Medicine, SKIMS,
Dr Sana Rafiq Khuroo
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence,
Dr Amaar Saeed
Junior Resident, Dept of Community Medicine, SKIMS
Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Bhat
Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, SKIMS,
Aabid Manzoor
Senior Resident, Dept of Physiology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence
Mushtaq ul Islam
Senior resident, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research New Delhi.
