Clustering of pulmonary tuberculosis in Ethiopia: repeated population-based symptom screening

Abstract

Objective A “Cluster” is an area with a higher occurrence of tuberculosis than would be expected in an average random distribution of that area. Tuberculosis clustering is commonly reported in Ethiopia, but most studies rely on registered data, which may miss patients who do not visit health facilities or those who attend but are not identified as having tuberculosis. This makes the detection of actual clusters challenging. This study analysed the clustering of pulmonary tuberculosis and associated risk factors using symptom-based population screening in Dale, Ethiopia.