Cases of pulmonary tuberculosis among the out-patients attending general health institutions in an Indian city.

A study was undertaken in Bangalore City, India, to find out whether people with chest symptoms, including tuberculosis patients, attend general health institutions or report directly to tuberculosis clinics. The attendance for one day at 19 general dispensaries was investigated. Of the total of 2506 eligible persons who were questioned about the presence of chest symptoms, 1170 admitted having symptoms suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis and 20 cases and 31 suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were diagnosed. The findings indicate that tuberculosis patients do not by-pass the city health institutions. On the other hand, if these institutions take an active part in the tuberculosis programme and undertake diagnostic functions, or refer persons with chest symptoms to a central clinic, they can contribute substantially to case-finding.