India has the largest number of tuberculosis cases in the world resulting in nearly 400,000 deaths annually. This paper investigates the underlying processes that led to the resurgence of tuberculosis as a major killer in India. Furthermore, this paper will demonstrate that the alarmingly high rates of tuberculosis can be best explained not by a dominant medical model but by critically analyzing its epidemiology from a historical, political, social, cultural and economic context. Drawing from the expansive research and other published literature on tuberculosis, this paper identifies several factors which impact tuberculosis control in India. These factors include: epidemiological processes; India's political and economic history; the National Tuberculosis Program within the context of the Indian Health system; social inequalities; cultural attitudes and beliefs; socio-economic burden of the illness on patients and their families; HIV infection; multi-drug resistance and the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP); and finally, policies and practices of international organizations. Each factor is examined in detail to understand the interplay of complex processes that affect tuberculosis control efforts in developing countries such as India. Future research must address broader structural factors such as poverty, social inequalities, and policies and practices of the RNTCP that impact the access and delivery of services to tuberculosis patients. Ultimately, including a focus on the social, economic and political processes that influence national policies regarding funding and provision of health services can enhance treatment completion and lead to improved health outcomes for tuberculosis patients in India.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation participants in this session will be able to:
Keywords: India, Tuberculosis
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.