Tragedy of Population Shift “Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan” A change in the Notification ,Prevalence ,Morbidity And Mortality From Tuberculosis

Purpose: In Late 1979,as a consequence of Soviet Afghan, war a tremendous rise in the prevalence of tuberculosis was observed in the indigenous population of boarder provinces of Pakistan, having a different level of life styles approach,education,socio-economic status etc.

Materials& Methods: This study was extended from 1979, all ages both sex with 4%infection prevalence before the start of the study to almost 9% after the population shift with a gradual rise in fresh wave of population.

Results: As per the notification, the statistical data is as under, Statistics of Prevalence

Type of Infection

Pulmonary Tuberculous infection “ 85%+10

Tuberculous Gastro-enteritis 15%+5%

Other tuberculous infection(Skin,Eyes,Bones) 5%+1%

Conclusions: Risk factors e.g. Higher illiteracy rate, substandard hygienic living, inappropriate disposal of sputum& the lack of appreciation of the BCG vaccination were documented. Like wise tragedy may recur elsewhere ,if the pre requisites for control of infection are not taken.

Clinical Implications: For financial reasons & lack of awareness about the gravity of the problem of drugs resistant tuberculosis, initial notification is made to ill trained health care providers with poor diagnostic capability not only complicating the disease but also causing wide spread dissemination of infection, only 60-75% could complete the standard Anti tuberculous treatment.