Tuberculosis and poverty. Issue 6907 (25th September 1993)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spence, D P; Hotchkiss, J; Williams, C S; Davies, P D
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 307:Issue 6907(1993)
• Page Start: 759
• Page End: 761
• Publication Date: 1993-09-25
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.307.6907.759
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE--To examine whether the historical link between tuberculosis and poverty still exists. DESIGN--Retrospective study examining the notifications of all forms of tuberculosis by council ward over a six year period and correlating this with four indices of poverty; council housing, free school meals, the Townsend overall deprivation index, and the Jarman index. SETTING--The 33 electoral wards of the city of Liverpool. SUBJECTS--344 residents of Liverpool with tuberculosis. RESULTS--The rate of tuberculosis was correlated with all measures of poverty, the strongest correlation being with the Jarman index (r = 0.73, p < 0.0001). This link was independent of the high rates of tuberculosis seen in ethnic minorities. CONCLUSION--Tuberculosis remains strongly associated with poverty.