title: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) among tuberculosis patients: a study from Chennai, South India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) among tuberculosis (TB) patients are associated with nonadherence and poor treatment outcomes. Studies from Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC), Chennai have reported that alcoholism has been one of the major reasons for default and mortality in under the DOTS programme in South India. Hence, it is planned to conduct a study to estimate prevalence of alcohol use and AUDs among TB patients attending the corporation health centres in Chennai, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional cohort study covering 10 corporation zones at Chennai and it included situational assessment followed by screening of TB patients by a WHO developed Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test AUDIT scale. Four zones were randomly selected and all TB patients treated during July to September 2009 were screened with AUDIT scale for alcohol consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 490 patients, 66% were males, 66% were 35 years and above, 57% were married, 58% were from the low monthly income group of <Rs 5000 per month. No females reported alcohol use. Overall, out of 490 TB pts, 29% (141) were found to consume alcohol. Among 141 current drinkers 52% (73) had an AUDIT score of >8. Age (>35 years), education (less educated), income (<Rs 5000 per month), marital status (separated/divorced) and treatment category (Category 2) were statistically significant for TB patients with alcohol use than those TB patients without alcohol use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AUD among TB patients needs to be addressed urgently and the findings suggest the importance of integrating alcohol treatment into TB care.
authors: Tuberculosis Research Centre, Chetput, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. mohanasuhadev@yahoo.com
authors: Mohanarani
authors: M
authors: Suhadev
authors: Beena E
authors: BE
authors: Thomas
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Raja Sakthivel
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Murugesan
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Chandrasekaran
authors: Niruparani
authors: N
authors: Charles
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Durga
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Auxilia
authors: Trini A
authors: TA
authors: Mathew
authors: Fraser
authors: F
authors: Wares
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