Inadequate housing and pulmonary tuberculosis: a systematic review

Abstract

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health issue that has long threatened and continues to threaten human health. While previous studies are important in the search for a cure for TB, to eradicate the disease it is also crucial to analyze environmental influences. Therefore, this study determined the potential effect of inadequate housing on TB and the magnitude of the effect. Methods This is a systematic review of the effects of inadequate housing on TB. Between Jan 1, 2011 and Oct 25, 2020, we searched four electronic databases using the search terms “housing AND tuberculosis” or “housing AND TB”. The target population comprised residents of inadequate housing and the homeless. Results We found 26 eligible studies. The distribution of the studies across continents was uneven, and the housing issues of interest seemed to vary depending on the economic level of the country. The eight steps identified in TB development and the consequences thereof were more strongly associated with housing affordability than with housing quality. Conclusions This is the first systematic review to identify the effects of inadequate housing on TB and to categorize inadequate-housing-related exposure to TB in terms of affordability and quality. The steps identified in TB development and the consequences thereof had a greater association with housing affordability than with housing quality. Therefore, public health interventions regarding housing affordability could be more diverse, and interventions that support affordable housing for residents of inadequate housing and the homeless should proceed simultaneously to improve housing quality.

Magnitude, associated risk factors, and trend comparisons of identified tuberculosis types among prisons in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Prisoners incarcerated in overcrowded cells with poor ventilation were 0.39 times more likely to have TB than those who were incarcerated in small cells with good ventilation. It is supported by other studies conducted elsewhere, which reported that both inadequate ventilation and crowded living conditions increase the risk of contracting TB 69–71 . Because there are not enough TB prevention and control initiatives in prisons and there is not enough access to health and referral services, the high TB incidence among chronic coughers may be explained by these factors.…”

“…It is supported by other studies conducted elsewhere, which reported that both inadequate ventilation and crowded living conditions increase the risk of contracting TB. [69][70][71] Because there are not enough TB prevention and control initiatives in prisons and there is not enough access to health and referral services, the high TB incidence among chronic coughers may be explained by these factors. This may also be related to insufficient screening of prisoners upon entry into the facilities, poor ventilation, overcrowding, a lack of early case identification, and a lack of periodic TB screening for prisoners (concerns related to accessibility and the application of recommended screening strategies).…”

Epidemiology: the current burden of tuberculosis and its determinants

“…The living environment affects exposure risk to TB. For instance, poor ventilation, overcrowding, and homelessness or housing instability increase the likelihood of exposure to M. tuberculosis and therefore increase the risk of TB infection [54]. Poverty and hunger increase susceptibility to both infection and progression to disease, along with the severity of TB [46].…”

The Relationship between Ventilation and Physical Quality of Houses with Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases in the Working Area of Sragen Primary Healthcare Center, Sragen Regency

“…Several risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis are malnutrition, indoor air quality, the volume of Air Changes per Hour (ACH), ventilation area, lighting intensity, relative humidity levels, and residential overcrowding (7)(8)(9)(10). Houses or buildings are vulnerable places, transmitting airborne diseases, including tuberculosis.…”