The commencement of Epidemiology activities related to TB by TRC dates back to 1968 when the BCG trial in tuberculosis was started in Chingelput, district. Since then the BCG Trial area has been successfully utilized as the population laboratory for the study of the epidemiology of Tuberculosis. After the BCG Trial, disease prevalence surveys were undertaken by TRC, in Raichur, (Karnataka) and North Arcot (Tamilnadu) to estimate the case load in these districts to assist in the evaluation of implementation of the National Tuberculosis programme in these districts. An operational study to document the fate of smear positive cases after chemotherapy was carried out in North Arcot district. The RNTCP was introduced in the BCG trial area in 1999. Currently the Disease Survey and Tuberculin survey are being carried out in the BCG trial area to study the impact of DOTS strategy (RNTCP) on the epidemiology of TB. A case control study was done in 1998 to study the association between Tobacco smoking and Pulmonary TB. In the ongoing disease survey, the information on exposure to risk factors like Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption are being collected to study the association between these behavioral risk factors with pulmonary TB. The epidemiology unit of TRC has also collaborated with National Tuberculosis Institute, Bangalore, in conducting a nation wide sample survey (tuberculin survey). Studies on mortality among cohorts of tuberculosis patients from Chennai Corporation and Thiruvallur district were completed. Mortality surveys were completed in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.
Head of Department: Dr. C. Kolappan, Scientist F
Email: kola155@trcchennai.in
