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

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 Treatment 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 pre-existing co-morbidities as risk factors, whether TB enhances the risk for coronavirus infection independently needs further research.