Mapping of the eco-social and genetic factors that determine the susceptibility of the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan to tuberculosis

For more detailed information please visit the project site:  https://breeze.ghrcca.org

PARTNERS:

  • National TB Center, MoH RK
  • National Institute of Geography, MES RK
  • Association of Phthisiatricians of the Republic of Kazakhstan

RESEARCH GOAL:

To evaluate the role of eco-social, individual behavioral and genetic factors in forming the susceptibility to tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) in the population of Kazakhstan.

INFORMATION ABOUT RESEARCH:

Tuberculosis control is one of the most important problems that Kazakhstan is currently facing; however, the detailed data on the TB exact risk factors in the country are not yet determined. While the general TB morbidity rate has decreased in the last several years, MDR TB is a new problem of TB control at the national level. This project is aimed at defining the exact risk factors contributing to epidemic development, and the reasons for the impending growth of MDR TB. Information collected in four regions of the country will help to better understand how to decrease the TB burden in Kazakhstan. The research is funded by the Committee of Sciences of the Ministry of Education and Science RK. Implementation period: 2011-2014.

This research will allow addressing some important research tasks through the integration of four unique research components:

  1.  case-control study;
  2. prospective cohort study;
  3. molecular-epidemiological study;
  4. TB host genetic study.

The research will be implemented in three sub-groups (N=2160): TB index-participants – newly registered pulmonary TB; household controls; external controls from community.

Use of modern geographical information technologies in the project will allow evaluating the spatial distribution of TB infection, reveal foci of its maximal concentration and visualizing the epidemiological process, as well as the main factors influencing it.