Roll of Smoking in the Default of Tuberculosis Treatment in Rajkot District

Background: Smoking is the major cause of Mycobacterial infection, default and relapse of the infection. Aims and Objective: This study was conducted to estimate the effect of smoking in the default patients of tuberculosis treatment. Material and Method: 150 cases (TB treatment Defaulter) and 150 controls (Who have completed whole course of treatment) from the Rajkot district of Gujarat were enrolled and interviewed. Smokers were identified by pre-structured interview and self-report. Risk of treatment default was calculated in smokers. Results: In smokers risk of treatment default was 265% higher (OR = 2.65) in comparison the non-smoker. Risk of treatment default was quite higher in female smokers in comparison the male smokers. Conclusion: Smoking should be prevented to improve the tuberculosis treatment adherence