Prevalence and Factors Associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis Infection among HIV/AIDS Patients Attending an ART Clinic: A Study at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital

Abstract

Among the over 33 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS, one-third also contracted tuberculosis, making it a significant co-infection. Tuberculosis emerged as the primary cause of illness and death within the HIV/AIDS community, responsible for approximately 30% of all fatalities among those affected. While curable when accurately diagnosed and promptly treated, addressing tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS patients required special attention due to the intricacies involved in diagnosing and treating both conditions concurrently. Employing a quantitative cross-sectional design, the study aimed to ascertain PTB prevalence and its socio-demographic and behavioral determinants among HIV/AIDS patients attending the ART clinic. Eighty-seven participants were selected via simple random sampling, with questionnaires serving as the primary data collection tool. The findings revealed a significant association between age over 45 years and the occurrence of pulmonary TB, with an odds ratio of 0.71 (0.45–3.77) and a p-value of 0.035. Additionally, male gender exhibited a notable association with PTB among HIV patients, with an odds ratio of 0.48 (0.15-8.14) and a p-value of 0.001. Furthermore, the study indicated a correlation between PTB occurrence and HIV patients, with an odds ratio of 0.35 (0.001-3.79) and a p-value of 0.024. The study's conclusion highlighted that approximately 18.4% of HIV-positive patients had experienced pulmonary tuberculosis. Recommendations included promoting good adherence to ART and TB prophylaxis among HIV patients to bolster immunity against TB. Encouraging HIV patients to steer clear of behaviors that heighten TB risk, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, was also advised. Additionally, the government was urged to enhance support and supplies for individuals living with HIV and tuberculosis, aiming to prevent disease progression through tertiary interventions. Keywords: HIV/AIDS patients; Tuberculosis; PTB among HIV patients, Smoking and alcohol drinking, ART clinic.