• Recently, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the bi-directional linkage between NCD and NCD risk factors among TB contacts.

• The SRMA included national and sub-national TB surveys which included at least one NCD or NCD risk factor.

• The results were presented as participants with NCD or NCD risk factors and were divided into 3 groups as follows:

1. People with TB

2. Members of households with a TB patient

3. Members of households with no TB patient

• The outcome variable was the prevalence of NCD or NCD risk factors, which included smoking, alcohol intake, DM, hypertension, and BMI.

• The findings of the SRMA are as follows:

1. The members of households with TB had a higher chance of smoking when compared to those with no TB

2. On sensitivity analysis, the members of households with TB had higher odds of alcohol use when compared to those with no TB

3. There was no significant association between the other NCD such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension

• However, the study underscores that the national-level surveys included self-reporting of NCDs, which might have led to the underreporting of NCDs and hence the findings.

• The study concluded that household-level interventions addressing smoking can help reduce the risk of NCD and TB in households.

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