Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and its associated risk factors among suspected patients visiting Durbete Primary Hospital, northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of communicable disease-related mortality worldwide. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), rifampicin resistance pattern, and to identify the major explanatory risk factors among suspected patients visiting Durbete Primary Hospital (DPH).

Design and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients suspected with PTB at DPH from February to June 2022. All eligible suspected PTB patients aged ≥18 years were included in the study. Data on risk factors were collected using questionnaire. Two spot sputum specimens were collected from each enrolled patient according to WHO guidelines. Sputum was examined by GeneXpert and Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy. Logistic regression models were used to determine the strength of association between dependent variable and risk factors and to identify the major explanatory risk factors.

Results: Of the total of 180 PTB suspected patients who participated in the study, 17 (9.44%, overall prevalence) were identified as having PTB. Participants who had an unknown history of hypertension (AOR = 8.483; 95% CI 1.059-67.935) and who had contact with known PTB cases (AOR = 16.108; 95% CI 1.983-130.844) were significantly associated with the prevalence of PTB (p < 0.05). One (6.25%; 1/16) specimen that was detected as positive by the GeneXpert was found to be resistant to rifampicin.

Conclusion: This study showed a relatively high prevalence of PTB among suspected patients. Periodic surveillance of PTB and educating the local community about major risk factors, such as contact with known PTB cases, are necessary to reduce the prevalence of PTB.