Proximate Determinants and Burden of  Tuberculosis (TB) in Indigenous People  Worldwide: A Systematic Review

Chinmoyee Deori; Leena  Hujuri; Tonushyam  Sonowal; Bitupan  Kalita; Anup  Jyoti Bharali

Chinmoyee Deori Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, Lakhimpur Medical College, Lakhimpur, Assam, India
Leena Hujuri Post graduate Student, Department of Pharmacology, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Assam India
Tonushyam Sonowal Demonstrator, Department of Microbiology, Lakhimpur Medical College, Lakhimpur, Assam, India
Bitupan Kalita Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital, Lakhimpur, Assam, India
Anup Jyoti Bharali Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, DHSK College, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Keywords: Indigenous People, Tuberculosis, Social Determinants, HIV, Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge, particularly among Indigenous populations worldwide. Indigenous communities often experience socioeconomic disadvantages, including poverty, overcrowding, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare, all of which contribute to the high burden of TB. This systematic review aims to analyse the proximate determinants and burden of TB among Indigenous populations globally.
Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Literature from 1985 to 2022 was searched across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL. Eligible studies included observational studies, cohort studies, and qualitative research addressing TB burden and as sociated determinants in Indigenous communities. Data were extracted based on variables such as TB prevalence, socioeconomic determinants, healthcare access, and regional disparities.
Results: From an initial search of 120,324 articles, 310 were included in the final review. Among them, 210 focused on proximate TB determinants, 20 on TB burden, and 46 on Indigenous populations worldwide. Key findings highlighted high TB prevalence in Indigenous populations, with significant disparities across regions. Overcrowding, malnutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, and limited healthcare access were primary contributors. TB incidence was highest among the Saharia tribe in India, the Yanomami in Brazil, and the Fulani in Chad.
Conclusion: Indigenous populations experience disproportionately high TB burdens due to structural and social determinants. Addressing TB among these communities requires targeted public health interventions, improved healthcare access, and culturally sensitive approaches. Collaborative efforts between policymakers, healthcare providers, and Indigenous communities are essential for effective TB control.

How to cite this article:
Deori C, Hujuri L, Sonowal T, Kalita B, Bharali
A J. Proximate Determinants and Burden
of Tuberculosis (TB) in Indigenous People
Worldwide: A Systematic Review. J Commun
Dis. 2025;57(2):169-177.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202552

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