Tuberculosis-Awareness and Management Campaign

Tuberculosis-Awareness and Management Campaign : An initiative was taken by the dignitaries of Indian Pharmaceutical Association – Student’s Forum (IPA-SF). Students of School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPTM)

“Generally the theories we believe we call them FACTS & Facts we disbelieve we call them THEORIES”

So we bring to you some “Alarming” facts about Tuberculosis to help you connect with the reality…

India is “THE HUB” of Tuberculosis

1.India has more cases of Tuberculosis than any other country in the world & twice as many cases as China, which has the next highest number.

2.Although exact & current information on TB incidence & prevalence is not available, studies show an incidence rate of more than 200 per Lakh, among the highest in the world.

TB is a Leading Killer in Adults

1.TB kills more adults than any other infectious disease.

2.2 deaths every 3 minutes due to TB.

3.1 Sputum Positive TB Patient infects 10-15 healthy individuals every year.

4.In India, 40% of population affected with T.B.

TB Affects Young Adults Most 

1.TB may create more orphans than any other disease.

2.When districts use RNTCP formats, data on age & sex distribution of TB cases is available at each PHI, TB Unit & District. 

TB is a leading killer in women

1.TB kills more women than any other infectious disease.

2.TB kills more women than all causes of maternal mortality combined.

3.Women with tuberculosis are often severely stigmatized.

TB & AIDS

1. HIV-infected persons are at greatly increased risk of TB.

2. Without HIV, the lifetime risk of developing TB in TB-infected people is about 10%, compared with at least 50% in HIV-infected, TB-infected people.

3.The HIV epidemic could rapidly increase the incidence of TB.

4. Even in HIV infected patients TB can be cured.

Million said that the APPLE fell…

But Newton was the one to ask WHY…

So we ask why…

Why India is the hub for Tuberculosis…

Why appropriate measures are not being taken to protect the innocent…

What are we doing on this...... Why are we not taking any stand……

So we took!!!

A “Tuberculosis awareness & management campaign” was felt necessary towards noble aim of eradicating Tuberculosis. An initiative was taken by the dignitaries of Indian Pharmaceutical Association – Student’s Forum (IPA-SF). Students of School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPTM) joined hands with them.

IPA-SF is a national body of fellow pharmacy students all over India . Its parent body is Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA). IPA-SF works for various social causes affecting the health of the masses. Main aim of this organization is to spread mass awareness about various deadly diseases.

An appropriate program was deigned by a team comprising of Mr. Ajeet Gupta (Managing Director- Care world), Dr. Rachana (faculty NMIMS-SPTM), Ms. Ashruti Srivastava (Student MBA-Pharmtech, NMIMS-SPTM; Event coordinator) , Abhijeet Sethi (Student MBA-Pharmtech, NMIMS-SPTM; Deputy event coordinator) &  Mr. Manish Mishra (Student MBA-Pharmtech, NMIMS-SPTM) and aired through international healthcare TV channel-Care World, Hari Ohm Chambers, Andheri (West),  Mumbai, India.

Public queries were invited & attended from 8:00am to 8:00pm from 20th to 25th March through helpline number +919769393020. A team of 40 students versant with FAQs and vernacular communication skill especially Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, Telugu etc. were deployed on shift bases to attend the calls.

Various policy makers, administrative authority in the field of Indian Pharmacy etc. seriously viewed the concept and theme of this program and put forth their apprehensions regarding communication in vernacular language and professional competitions and authority of the team for making prescriptions for treatment of tuberculosis. The queries of these authorities were well taken by the team to structure the script, FAQs and prepare the team to provide structured answers to avoid any litigation.

In a very short period of five days, tremendous inquires were received form individuals & a NGO from India and abroad namely Dubai , Musket etc.

Demography and profile of individuals inquiring about Tuberculosis depicted illiterate people, kith and kin of diseased persons, and qualified doctors from remote villages to metropolis.

Nature of queries ranged from

1.Non awareness of symptoms

2.Availability of DOT centers and government facilities to help poor persons

3.Doubt about curability of the disease

4.Differentiation of TB and Asthma

5.Technical queries on pathological findings performed on the patients

6.TB of different organs & pericorditis

7.Alarming symptoms and symptoms of improvements

8.Care & diet of patients

9.Relation of TB with pregnancy & effect on baby.

10.TB recurrence prevention

11.Causes of TB spread and prevention & quality of pathological findings etc.

These queries were responded suitably.

Analysis of the queries received from the calls

The red spots on the map show the number of calls received from a particular state.

This data also indicates that calls were received from all parts of the country.

Three type of analysis was carried out on the data obtained from the queries which is as follows

a)State from where we received maximum queries 

b)Type of queries 

c)Type of queries Vs. state with maximum number of queries

State From Where We Received Queries

Interpretation:

The above graph clearly shows that:

1.Maximum calls were received from the state of Maharashtra.

2.The second highest calls were received from the state of Utter Pradesh.

3.The third highest calls were received from the two states namely Delhiand Rajasthan.

Type Of Queries

Results

Interpretation:

The above pie diagram shows that more than 50% of the caller group is unaware about TB and about 35% of the calling population suffering from TB does not know about the treatment procedures, free medication provided by the government etc.

Also, the pie chart clearly shows that the patients who have reoccurring attacks of the disease do not know about the effective management & preventive measures of the disease.

Type Of Query Vs. State With Maximum Number Of Calls

Interpretation:

Maximum calls (i.e. 24 calls) were received from the state of Maharashtra .

It is clear from the pie chart that about 50% of the caller’s population was not aware about TB. Also, patients already suffering from the disease and unaware about the medications and preventive measures make about 42 % of the caller’s population which is a huge chunk.

Interpretation:

Total of 12 calls were received from the state of Utter Pradesh.

It is clear from the pie chart that about 55% of the caller’s population was not aware about TB. However only 18% patients who are already suffering from the disease are unaware about the medications and preventive measures. Also, about 18% of the caller’s population is suffering from the re-attack of the disease. This can be prevented if people know about right management and preventive measures.

Interpretation:

Total of 7 calls were received from the state of Rajasthan.

It is clear from the pie chart that about 57% of the caller’s population was not aware about TB. However only 28% patients who are already suffering from the disease are unaware about the medications and preventive measures. Also, about 14% of the caller’s population is suffering from the re-attack of the disease. This can be prevented if people know about right disease management and preventive measures.

Interpretation:

Total of 7 calls were received from the state of Rajasthan.

It is clear from the pie chart that about 43% of the caller’s population was not aware about TB. 43% patients who are already suffering from the disease are unaware about the medications and preventive measures. Also, about 14% of the caller’s population is suffering from the re-attack of the disease. This can be prevented if people know about right disease management and preventive measures.

Conclusion:

From the above graphs and pie charts it is clear that more then 50% of the caller’s population was unaware about disease. Rest 45% of the caller’s population were suffering from the disease and were unaware about its effective management and thus the reoccurrence of the disease was observed.

There is severe lack of awareness about the symptoms, government facilities and execution of government plans amongst masses. Serious efforts are needed to spread intensive awareness to the massed and make government agencies more approachable, pro active and responsive to reach masses especially in rural areas.

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare…

But it is because we do not dare that they become difficult…

But we dared!!!

We identified the TB prone zones on the map of Mumbai. This mapping exercise facilitated us to identify our potential targets where we can initiate our campaign of mass awareness against this disease. Eight locations were selected to carry out the campaign. The itinerary of the selected locations include :-

To ensure that our message reaches to the masses we distributed pamphlets one day prior to the campaign to the selected TB prone zones. These pamphlets bear information regarding the causes, symptoms, facts, mis-conceptions, precautions which need to be taken to remove this disease from its roots. Just to ensure our methods are effective, volunteers distributing the pamphlets also spoke to the people about the disease so that people are motivated to attend the rally with the objective of learning more about the disease & the steps they can take to resolve the issue.

On the day of the rally the volunteers once again visited the area where the pamphlets were distributed, the previous evening & carried posters about the campaign on the eradication of TB and also conveyed through loudspeakers the message and relevant slogans on the need of eradicating TB and requesting them to attend the rally at the specified venue and time.

Prateek Garg – Spearheading the rally

All the volunteers as well as other participants of the college gathered in good number at the site of the campaign. The journey began with enthusiasm by virtue of all participants shouting slogans against the disease and concomitantly distributing pamphlets about TB as well as informing the masses about the meeting which would take place along with the doctors talking about TB awareness program.

Famous film actor Mr. Sushant Singh Inaugurating the rally

The rally deliberations started with the introduction on TB highlighting its signs and symptoms,  possibility of treating the disease with appropriate measures, preventive measures etc. which the people should understand for the irritation of this deadly disease. The shouting of slogans and distribution of pamphlets created the desired impact on the passé- bys and we could ultimately have a good gathering of people at the venue of the meeting.

The rally at Gillbert Hill on 22^nd March 2009

Rally at its full swing

The introductory speech was followed by a film on the awareness of TB which further demonstrated the need of addressing the problem. We enacted a skit which clearly brought out aspects of the disease, the necessity factors of undertaking treatment as well as the precautions which people should take for better disease management.

Skit on TB – Awareness & its Management

The seriousness of our campaign was evident and could be perceived well by the locals attending the campaign through the presence of a doctor and paramedical staffs who undertook sputum test of some people gathered in the campaign.

Dr.Salil Baldre giving speech to the masses about TB awareness and its Management.

Dr. Baldre analyzing the reports and advising the patients on TB & Dr. addressing the crowed.

Doctors gave a talk on the management of TB and interactive with the masses viz. question and answer session in order to clarify the doubts and provide the necessary information to the people regarding TB.

All the sputum samples collected from various campaigns were analysed at a well qualified pathological laboratory – Andheri Patho Labs which is a sister body of the Piramal group of diagnostic centers

Sputum samples being collected

One person was identified with TB and his treatment is being fully sponsored by School of Pharmacy & Technology Management.

These campaign were grassed by the presence of famous film stars like Mr. Sushant Singh; editor of Mumbai Mitr – Mr. Abhijeet Rane, ACP Mumbai Police and various dignitaries of the local NGO Akhil Bharitya Maratha Maha Sangh.

Team Anti-TB along with many dignitaries including(L-R) Mr. Akashay (Public Health Officer-IPASF), Mr. Murty (President IPASF), Mr. Saravedaker (Legal adviser – Aklhi Bharitya Maratha Maha Samgh), Mr. Abhijeet Rane (Editor- Mumbai Mitr)

Ms.Ashruti Srivastava (Event coordinator) & Mr. Abhijeet (Deputy Event Coordinator) facilitating the guests with floral bouquet.

24th march was world TB day. We had organized a rally to support all the persons around the globe to spread the message on awareness of TB. Our participation on world TB day also reflects our commitment to the cause of eradicating Tb from our country.

We also visited patients suffering from TB and counseled them about the disease and its roper management and also gave them confidence that the disease can be treated with the cooperation and compliance of the treatment. As a gesture of goodwill we distributed fruits to some of the TB patients in Bhram kumari and Siddharth Hospital.

Volunteers giving fruits to the TB patients at Bhram Kumari Hospital.

Volunteers at Siddharth Hospital.

A small campaign was also carried out at an orphanage housing 100 girls.

A skit was performed explaining them about TB – spread, awareness and its management. Queries regarding TB were invited and answered. Sputum test was also carried out for few girls. At the end of the campaign food items were distributed to the kids. 

Anti TB team interacting with girls at the orphanage

Skit about TB awareness and its Management at Bharbhaiya orphanage

Food items being distributed to the girls at the orphanage

Achievements:

1.One case of Tuberculosis was diagnosed viz. the sputum tests organized at various campaigns. The concern persons treatment will be sponsored by School of Pharmacy & Technology Management.

2.All the callers who called on the helpline were given proper information about the spread, 

Future steps in complete irradiation of the disease.

1.There is an urgent need of effective mass awareness about the disease and its management.

2.Accurate steps must be take so that the already existing patients of Tuberculosis can be fully cured and episodes of reoccurrence and reduced.

3.Such portals where people can directly interact with doctor or pharmacist without any hesitation about TB, its spread and management are required.

4.The people should be aware about the free medication available for the treatment of Tuberculosis.

5.Ongoing efforts to address TB in high-risk populations in India, in addition to global TB control strategies, are required. The success of these control strategies may be assessed in part through accurate national TB surveillance, including the surveillance of TB in Indian children and youth.

6.WHO’s initiative of “50% of the patients being detected with TB should be fully cured by 2015” can be fulfilled by aggressive mass awareness campaigns.

The steps taken by us towards the novel aim of irradiation of Tuberculosis from our society were an initiation towards a global revolution. Still a lot has to be done. Come lets join hands and stand up to kill the devil of TB from India .

“We am stopping TB Are you with us!!!”