Lower socioeconomic status associated with higher tuberculosis rate in South Korea

BackgroundTuberculosis is an infectious disease influenced by social factors rather than a simple infectious disease. In this study, we investigated the relationship between tuberculosis rates and socioeconomic status.MethodsThis study was conducted using data of the 49,483 participants of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VI-VIII (2013-2021). The relationships between tuberculosis rates and the quartiles of monthly household income and education level were examined using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe KNHANES data revealed that the prevalence of tuberculosis as substantially related to monthly household income (odds ratio [OR], 6.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-32.0 for lowest vs. highest incomes) and education level (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.2-12.0 for 10-12 years vs. >= 13 years; OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.2-14.8 for <= 6 years vs. >= 13 years). Furthermore, current tuberculosis treatment was significantly related to monthly household income and education level.ConclusionThere were substantial correlations between tuberculosis rates and socioeconomic status in South Korea.

Automated summary

This study investigated the relationship between tuberculosis rates and socioeconomic status in South Korea and found substantial correlations. People with lower income and education levels were more likely to have tuberculosis, and current tuberculosis treatment was also related to socioeconomic status.