title: Prevalence of chest symptoms amongst brick kiln migrant workers and care seeking behaviour: a study from South India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early detection and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) have been key principles of TB control. However, this can be a challenge with 'hard to reach' populations such as migrants. Brick kiln workers are one such group of migrants who are exposed to smoke, heat and dust from brick kilns which are one of the major causes of respiratory illnesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional community based study was carried out in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, South India, from August 2011 to June 2012. A total of 4002 individuals from 55 brick kiln chambers were interviewed to determine the prevalence of chest symptoms and care seeking behaviour patterns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and seventy-seven (9.4%) chest symptomatics were identified. The most significant variables associated with chest symptoms were illiteracy, alcohol abuse and heavy smoking. Of the chest symptomatics identified, 50.4% took action to get relief from their symptoms. The duration of over 6-month stay in the chamber was significantly associated with taking action (OR, 5.5, 95% CI: 2.3, 13.3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TB control programme needs to further explore how to extend its services to such 'hard to reach' groups. Active case finding to ensure early diagnosis and treatment initiation amongst such groups needs consideration.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Chennai 600 031, India.
authors.forename: Beena E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Chennai 600 031, India.
authors.forename: Niruparani
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Chennai 600 031, India.
authors.forename: Basilea
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Chennai 600 031, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chandrasekaran
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Chennai 600 031, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Senthil Kumar
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Chennai 600 031, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dhanalakshmi
authors.affiliation: Global TB Programme, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fraser
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wares
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Chennai 600 031, India.
authors.forename: Soumya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swaminathan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013909:Thorax / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: delay; migration; risk factor; tuberculosis