Survey and Analysis of the information on TB disease among IDP population in Tbilisi and Kakheti region

Nowadays the most serious infectious illness is TB. It is dangerous for every person, despite his or her age, nationality and social status.

According to WHO's (World Health Organization) data 1% of Earth population suffer from TB. Noteworthy, young people dies from TB more frequently, than from any other diseases. 2000 is proclaimed the year of combating TB.

In recent years, in Georgia the growing number of tubercular patients is caused on the one hand by heavy political, social-economic terms and by civil war, awful living conditions.

One million inhabitants lived in Tbilisi in 1993. Today their number increased, because of lot IDPs from different regions moved in Tbilisi. IDPs are living in bad conditions: two-three families together at relatives' residence or at hotel. To earn everyday living they engage in small business or done heavy work. As for government's assistance is very small and don't even consist the living wage.

In areas, where density of population is high increased the risk to get TB.

Our purpose was to question IDPs living in Tbilisi and Kakheti through special questionnaire to reveal diseased persons, than to analyze findings for the purpose of guarantee healthcare and safety.

Since 1995, TB National Program (TBNP) is functioning in Georgia. In it's charge hospital and outpatient treatment was carried out.

It can be observed that for 1999 year in Kakheti region increase the number of tubercular patients.

WHO worked out DOTS strategy, which is implemented as far as possible in hospital and outpatient conditions and represent the basis for TBNP functioning.

TB treatment is free of charge in Georgia. TBNP had small financial support and it was impossible to rendering first aid in outpatient terms completely. For this reason in TBNP GTZ was involved.

In the charge of our project we fixed 28 causes of TB. 13 of them (46%) are supervised by TBNP, and 15 (54%) ceased the treatment. This fact point out that society has to be informed about TB.

57 (5%) of respondents are suspected that they have TB. 23 of them have contact with tubercular patient. It is necessary to inspect them in local TB prophylactic centers.

For completing our investigation in Kakheti it is necessary to question local inhabitants too. Thus, this is the local TB prophylactic centers' due, but they can't examine contact persons because of the lack of finances.

We can't compare our data with governmental findings, because we implemented our project only in IDP compact areas in Tbilisi and Kakheti. Comprehensive analyses and evaluation of program will take place only if investigation comprises other regions.

Georgian Foundation