Practice of cough etiquette and quality of life among MDR-TB patients at a tertiary care hospital

Inclusion criteria

It was a complete enumeration of all the active MDR-TB cases attending DR-TB centre of Basaveshwara medical college and hospital, Chitradurga. All the MDR-TB cases either admitted or attending and those who are willing to participate in the study during the study period were included after obtaining the informed consent. These patients were personally interviewed based on the questionnaire prepared.

Exclusion criteria

MDR-TB patients who did not give consent, health care workers, medical professionals and patients with co-morbid conditions such as malignancy, HIV, psychiatric diseases were excluded from the study.

Questionnaires

All the relevant clinico-demographic data such as age, sex, current residence, education and occupation was obtained.

Questionnaires to assess cough practice: Questionnaires were structured with help of senior pulmonologist in the respiratory medicine department of hospital and it mainly concentrated on the knowledge of spread of TB, covering of mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing, use of alternatives if mask or napkin is not available, sputum disposal practice, washing of hands after coughing, awareness of hazards of indiscriminate sputum disposal.

Questionnaires to assess quality of life: Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) and cough specific quality of life questionnaire (CQLQ) were used, both the questionnaires are well validated in general population.

Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ)

It consists of 19 questions that are divided into three domains as described in [Table 1]:

Domain scores: total scores from items in domain/number of items in domain (range 1-7) Total scores: addition of domain scores [range 3-21]

It is a 7-point Likert scale. It assesses the impact of cough over preceding 2 weeks. The total score ranges from 3-21; a higher score corresponds to a better health status ^[7].

Cough specific quality of life (CQLQ)

It has 28 questions divided into six subscales ([Table 2])

Only two items 9 and 12 overlapped subscales. Item 9 appears in the emotional wellbeing and personal safety fears subscales, item 12 appears in emotional wellbeing and extreme physical complaints subscales.

CQLQ is a 4-point Likert scale (1-strongly disagree, 2-disagree, 3- agree, 4-strongly agree)

Scoring: The total score is the sum of all individual items. Subscales cores are the sum of items identified for each scale.

The lowest possible achievable total score indicating no adverse effects of cough on quality of life is 28 and the highest possible total score is 112 ^[8]

Data analysis

Data was entered and compiled by using Microsoft Excel. Data was analysed using statistical package for social science (SPSS).

Assessment of quality of life among MDR-TB patients

[Table 7] describes the average scores of patients as per LCQ questionnaire. The physical , psychological and social domain scores of the MDR TB patients was found to be 3.6 ±1.0, 3.8 ±1.1, 4.0 ±0.9 respectively.

The overall QOL score average was found to be 11.3±2.7.In our study it was also found that 28% of patients had to leave the job and 26% reported compromised work efficiency due to effected QOL.

The quality of life of the patients was also assessed by CQLQ questionnaire. The table 8 and Figure No. 6 describes the scores of individual subscales and total scores of the same. The average domain scores of patients were as follows:

Physical Complaints score was 25.1±3.4, Psychosocial issues score was 12.2±1.8, Functional abilities score was 13.7±2.3, Emotional wellbeing score 6.7±1.5, extreme physical complaints score was 9.3± 2.3 and personal safety fears score was 6.3±1.3.

The overall average of QOL as per CQLQ was found to be 73.4± 8.7

[Table 9] shows the gender related difference on quality of life (QOL) by Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ). Higher the LCQ score indicates better QOL. Females had the total score of 10.1±2.8 versus 12.3±2.2 in males (p value-0.004). Physical domain scores in female were 3.3±1.1 versus 3.9±0.8 in males (pvalue-0.029). Psychological domain scores in female were 3.3±1.2 versus 4.2±0.8 in males (p value-0.004). Social domain scores in female were 3.6±0.8 versus 4.3±0.9 in males (p value-0.005).

Score of all the three domains and total score was low in females as compared to males indicating worst QOL in females. All the three domains and total score showed statistical significance with p value less than 0.05 indicating males have better QOL as compared to females.

[Table 10] shows the gender related difference on quality of life (QOL) by cough specific quality of life questionnaire (CQLQ). Higher the score indicates worse QOL. Females had an average total score of 78.3±10 versus 69.6±4.9 in males. Physical complaints score was 26.1±4.1 in females versus 24.3±2.6 in males. Psychosocial issue score was 13±2.3 in females versus 11.6±1.1 in males. Functional abilities score was 14.2±2.7 in females versus 13.4±2 in males. Emotional well-being score was 7.3±1.4 in females versus 6.3±1.5 in males. Extreme physical complaints score was 10.8±2 in females versus 8.1±1.7 in males.

Personal safety fear score was 6.9±1.4 in females versus 5.9±1 in males.

CQLQ questionnaires also highlighted about urinary incontinence. In our study it was found 9 out of 22 females had urinary incontinence, only 2 out of 28 males had urinary incontinence.

All the subscale scores and total score was comparatively higher in females as compared to males indicating worse QOL in females.

Psychosocial issues, emotional well-being, personal safety fears scores showed statistical significance (p<0.05) indicating worse QOL in females.

Extreme physical complaints and total score showed high statistical significance (p<0.001) indicating better QOL in males.

Other two subscales that are physical complaints and functional abilities score though showed worse QOL in females but did not statistical significance(p>0.05).

Knowledge and practice of cough hygiene

In our study it was found that knowledge of mode of transmission of TB was poor. Only 36% were aware of mode of transmission. This result was similar to those of Cheriamane D, et al., which was conducted on the pulmonary tuberculosis patients. But this was in contrast to the study Sitapaudel where 64.5% were aware of communicability of the disease. ^[9]

90% respondents in our study showed unhygienic sputum disposal. This finding corroborates well with the findings of Venkatesh U et al., who reported unhygienic sputum disposal by 2/3^rd patients at home and more than 90% at public places. ^[10] In study conducted by CheriamaneD et al., and Bhattacharyya et al., also reported unhygienic sputum disposal by majority of pulmonary tuberculosis patients, ^[11] In the study conducted by Bhatt G, et al indiscriminate spitting ofsputum was only 8.6%. ^[12] In the study conducted by Akshaya et al reported that 53.8% of the patients in there study were aware of appropriate method of sputum disposal. ^[13] The reason could be lack of awareness about the health hazards related to healthcare waste, inadequate training in proper waste management, absence of waste management and disposal systems, insufficient financial and human resources and the low priority. Many countries either do not have appropriate regulations, or do not monitor and enforce them. ^[14]

Patients should be provided individual containers with lid, containing 5% phenol, for collection of sputum and instructed on spitting the sputum directly in the container or in a tissue paper which is then thrown in the container. The container should be emptied daily and the sputum disposed off as per the infection control guideline. ^[15]

Biomedical waste refers to any waste produced by healthcare facilities that can negatively impact human health or the environment if not properly disposed of. This type of waste is deemed infectious and requires appropriate management which also includes proper disposal of sputum and masks.

Color-coded bags are used in TB labs to separate waste. The yellow bag is used for Truenat chips (MTB/RIF), used masks, and gowns. The red bag is used for specimen collection tubes, sputum cups, CBNAAT cartridges, infected plastic, contaminated tips, Pasteur pipettes, Truenat cartridges, PCR tubes, used gloves, MGIT tubes, and disposable LJ tubes. The blue bag is used for glass slides in the Truenat machine and used microscopy slides, making sure they are undamaged. Laboratories should keep abreast of changes to the regulations governing the treatment of biomedical waste.

Sputum disposal: Spittoons in the inpatient facility must be sanitized with 5% phenol for an hour before being emptied into the regular drain (ideally, an effluent treatment plant is present; if not, make sure the tap water is running). Spittoons can be reused after autoclaving and given to the patient once the 5% phenol disinfectant has been added. At the patient's residence, the contents must be drained and the spittoon boiled, which can be reused after adding the disinfectant (5% phenol). ^[15]

Seemingly in our study majorityof the MDR-TB patients (90%) covered their mouth while coughing. This is better than the findings of Bhatt G et al. ^[12]

Majority of the respondents in our study practiced regular hand washing after coughing. This finding is better than the findings of Venkatesh U, et al. ^[10]

Most of the respondents in our study were unaware of use of alternatives if facemask or handkerchief that is to cough on elbow or upper sleeves. Most of the respondents were unaware of safe sputum disposal.

Overall, the knowledge and practice of respiratory hygiene was poor in our study.

Assessment of quality of life

Cough is a prominent symptom of pulmonary TB. ^[16] It has a major impact on QOL of patients. In the study conducted by R Sharma et al by using WHO QoL method inferred that QOL of MDR-TB patients was lower than pulmonary TB. ^[16]

In our study we used LCQ and CQLQ questionnaire to assess the QOL in MDR-TB patients. Many of the items included are common to both questionnaires, confirming consistent themes in quality-of-life impairments, despite development in three different countries. ^[17]

LCQ was found to be relevant, comprehensive and useful in TB.^[18] In our study it was found that 28% of patients had to leave the job and 26% reported compromised work efficiency due to effected QOL. It was similar to the findings of other studies R Sharma et al and Khan A et al. ^[16], ^[19]

Our study reported lower total LCQ scores and lower LCQ scores for all the three domains in females indicating worse QOL in females as compared to males and this was found to be statistically significant. The study conducted by Polley et al., also showed females are affected more due to cough as compared to males ^[20]. In contrast gender differences in QOL was not found by Kelsall et al. ^[21]

We also used CQLQ questionnaires to assess QOL. In our study it was found that total CQLQ scores and all six subscales’ scores were high in females indicating worse QOL in females as compared to males. CQLQ questionnaires also highlighted about urinary incontinence. In our study it was found 9 out of 22 females had urinary incontinence, only 2 out of 28 males had urinary incontinence. The study conducted by French et al., and Field et al., also showed that cough effected quality of life in females more as compared to males. ^[22], ^[23]

Overall, our study showed that cough had serious impact on females as compared to males both by LCQ and CQLQ. Hormonal influences may contribute to increased cough sensitivity in women, with factors such as laryngeal hypersensitivity and mast cell activity being implicated. ^[24] Psychological aspects, including anxiety and social embarrassment related to coughing, are more pronounced in females, affecting their daily lives and social interactions. ^[25] Hence, addressing stigma in the workplace through psychoeducation and support can significantly improve mental health outcomes and treatment adherence. ^[26] Involving family and community members in support initiatives can foster a more supportive environment for female patients undergoing treatment. ^[27]

Cough hygiene should be promoted through signage, equipment and practice ensured through patients and staff training, ongoing reinforcement by staff.

Patient education should be conducted on cough hygiene, etiquette, sputum disposal, proper use of surgical masks, restricted visitor entry at each admission and reinforced frequently by staff.

To maintain Cough hygiene, display signboards in the ward demonstrating cough hygiene. All patients admitted in the ward should be issued with surgical masks. Adequate measures should be taken for safe collection and disposal of sputum. ^[15]