A five year review of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major opportunistic infection in Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and a leading cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS.
Objective: To review the prevalence of TB and HIV co-infection at the HIV clinic in Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba.
Methodology: A descriptive retrospective study. Medical records of TB/HIV co-infected patients from 2008-2012 were reviewed and a key informant questionnaire administered to healthcare workers employed in the HIV clinic.
Results: The prevalence of TB/HIV co-infection among HIV patients was 2.7% whilst 6.9% of the TB/HIV co-infected patients were undergoing TB retreatment. The majority of the affected patients were traders and artisans. The prognosis was good for HIV patients on TB treatment who strictly adhered to their anti-TB treatment.
Conclusion: The low prevalence of TB/HIV co-infection observed may be attributed to the inadequate intensified tuberculosis case finding observed from the study.

Keywords: Review, Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Co-infection.