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Prevalence of HIV infection in tuberculosis patients in Nguru, Northeastern Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus is the most potent known risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). In sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated one third of the population has latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, the HIV pandemic is driving the incidence of TB to unprecedented heights and there is no reported data from this part of Nigeria.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV infection among tuberculosis patients.
Methods: All patients aged 15 years and above with TB and confirmed HIV infection seen at the Medical outpatients' clinic and those admitted to the infectious diseases and medical wards from 1st January 2002 to 31st December 2002 were included in the study.
Results: In all, 55 patients were offered TB-related care in the hospital during the study period. Out of this, 37 (67.3%) were males while 18 (32.7%) were females. Their ages ranged between 15 and 73 years with a mean of 35.6 ± 12.4 years. The overall HIV prevalence was 23.6%. Patients in the range of 25-44 years were more vulnerable to both HIV and TB as this age range accounted for the highest number of HIV seropositive and TB cases. Most of the patients were housewives (32.7%) followed closely by farmers (30.9%) then traders (25.5%). All those positive for HIV antibodies admitted to have had unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners. None was a homosexual or IV drug abuser.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV infection among patients with tuberculosis is high in this part of Nigeria and the most active and productive age groups as well as people in the lower socioeconomic stratum are most affected.
Keywords: tuberculosis, HIV, prevalence, Northestern Nigeria
Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 8(3) 2005: 65-67
Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV infection among tuberculosis patients.
Methods: All patients aged 15 years and above with TB and confirmed HIV infection seen at the Medical outpatients' clinic and those admitted to the infectious diseases and medical wards from 1st January 2002 to 31st December 2002 were included in the study.
Results: In all, 55 patients were offered TB-related care in the hospital during the study period. Out of this, 37 (67.3%) were males while 18 (32.7%) were females. Their ages ranged between 15 and 73 years with a mean of 35.6 ± 12.4 years. The overall HIV prevalence was 23.6%. Patients in the range of 25-44 years were more vulnerable to both HIV and TB as this age range accounted for the highest number of HIV seropositive and TB cases. Most of the patients were housewives (32.7%) followed closely by farmers (30.9%) then traders (25.5%). All those positive for HIV antibodies admitted to have had unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners. None was a homosexual or IV drug abuser.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV infection among patients with tuberculosis is high in this part of Nigeria and the most active and productive age groups as well as people in the lower socioeconomic stratum are most affected.
Keywords: tuberculosis, HIV, prevalence, Northestern Nigeria
Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 8(3) 2005: 65-67
