The profile of tuberculosis infection at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital
Authors:
ELIKWU Charles
Publication Type: Journal article
Journal:
ISSN Number:
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Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death from any single pathogen
and it has consistently continued to be a major public health challenge globally. Data
show that Nigeria ranks tenth among the 22 high tuberculosis burden countries. Aim:
This study intends to describe the profile of tuberculosis infections in Babcock
University Teaching Hospital.
Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional
study of patients presenting to the Tuberculosis Laboratory of Babcock University
Teaching Hospital.
Results: Patients presenting to BUTH were 2.29 times more
likely to have a positive AFB sputum smear result when compared to samples from
Primary Health Care Centers – P = 0.05, χ
2 = 3.83, O.R = 2.29, R.R = 1.17, CI = 1.0
– 5.34. Patients presenting to BUTH were more likely to be HIV positive when
compared to those from PHC’s p = 0.00, χ
2 = 24.74, df = 2.
Conclusion: The burden
of tuberculosis is still high in our environment and challenges in its rapid and
accurate diagnosis still remain. In order to strengthen tuberculosis control, attention
needs to be placed on rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment.