Prevalence Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Before And After The Covid-19 Pandemic In Nueva Ecija&#039;S Third District

Edralyn  Costales,

Prevalence Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Before And After The Covid-19 Pandemic In Nueva Ecija'S Third District

Abstract:

This study determined the prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in the 3rd District of Nueva Ecija. Specifically, it identified the profile of PTB patients in terms of age and sex. It also determined the prevalence rate of PTB before the COVID19 pandemic (2017–2019) and after the COVID-19 pandemic (2022–2024). Finally, it is determined if there is a significant difference in the prevalence rate of PTB before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher utilized a retrospective research design. The data were collected from three selected hospitals in the 3rd District of Nueva Ecija. The profile of PTB patients was analyzed using frequency and percentage, while the prevalence rate was determined using the formula for prevalence. To determine the significant difference in the prevalence rate of PTB before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Independent Samples T-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used. The findings of the study showed that most PTB patients before the pandemic were in the age group of 51–75 years old, while after the pandemic, most were in the age group of 26–50 years old. In terms of sex, most PTB patients both before and after the pandemic were male. The prevalence rate of PTB before the pandemic was 1.50, while after the pandemic, it was 0.966. The statistical analysis showed that there is no significant difference in the prevalence rate of PTB before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.510). Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that the Department of Health and local government units should continue to strengthen their TB control programs and prioritize the screening and treatment of PTB patients, especially during pandemics.

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