Investigation of HIV and Covid-19 co-infection among tuberculosis-positive patients attending directly observed treatment clinics in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis, Human immunodeficiency virus and COVID-19 are infectious diseases that have impacted negatively on  global health systems, economies and societies, leading to millions of infections and deaths worldwide.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the HIV and COVID-19 co-infection and the associated possible risk factors among Tuberculosis patients  attending some selected Directly Observed Treatment clinics in Kano, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 patients. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected and  subjects were screened for HIV seropositivity and COVID-19 by RT-PCR. Data were analyzed to identify independent predictors of dependent variables. Dependent variable selection was based on prior knowledge that the participants were individuals with  tuberculosis. A p-value for a two-tailed test less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: No statistical association between HIV and COVID-19 was seen among the subjects, as 12 COVID-19 samples tested positive,  giving a prevalence of 3.1% and coincidentally 12 HIV samples tested positive, giving a similar prevalence. The p-value of 0.64 implies that  no significant association between HIV infection and COVID-19 was found among the subjects. In addition, the study found no significant association between HIV infection and/or COVID-19 and, average monthly income, and household population. The good knowledge of  COVID-19 preventive measures justified the participant’s low level of exposure to COVID-19, which is largely due to the massive  awareness created on COVID-19 preventive measures.

Conclusion: The study suggested that tuberculosis-positive patients, especially  those with HIV infection, should continue to receive effective antiretroviral therapy and adhere to preventive measures to reduce their  risk of COVID-19. Healthcare providers should also consider the possibility of COVID-19 in tuberculosis-positive patients presenting with respiratory symptoms and take appropriate measures to diagnose and treat the infection promptly.