EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRENDS OF TUBERCULOSIS IN URBAN SLUMS: A PULMONOLOGY-PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

This research paper will examine the epidemiological trends of Tuberculosis (TB) in the urban slums with emphasis on its implications to the practice of public health and its implication to pulmonology.  The scientists examined the results of a 5-year period of TB in several communities of the urban slums to identify trends in incidence, risk factors and the socio-economic situations favorable to its transmission.  As has been illustrated, TB is much more prevalent in these places compared to the national average. Poor sanitation, lack of access to adequate medical facilities, and overcrowding are some of the major risk factors.  The cases of multidrug-resistant TB also increased significantly.  The findings indicate that we should make certain measures to improve the community health, including the construction of superior healthcare structures, initiating community based TB screening programs, and initiating educational programs to assist these susceptible groups manage the increasing burden of TB.