PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TUBERCULOSIS OCCURRENCE AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING MUHIMA DISTRICT HOSPITAL, NYARUGENGE DISTRICT, RWANDA

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is one the serious public health problems globally and locally and killed at least eight million in 2018 (WHO, 2019). TB is a curable disease if well treated and followed. One of the most key considerations for tracking and evaluating TB prevention and control programs is the prevalence and related risk factors. The study adopted a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional retrospective design to collect data from the respondents. A systematic sampling technique was used and secondary data recorded in the laboratory were collected. Specific objectives were: to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis among patients attending Muhima District Hospital in Nyarugenge District, and to identify behavioral factors associated with TB occurrence among patients attending Muhima District Hospital in Nyarugenge District. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the data. The total number of respondents was 2161 patients. The majority, were male 1524(70.5%) and female were 637(29.5%). For the age, those less than 9 years were 19(.9%), between 10-17 years 76(3.5%), between 18-35 years 1185(54.8%), between 36-59 years 843(39.0%), and above 60 years 38(1.8%). Those who were married were 1014(47%), singles were 977(45.2%), and widower were 57(2.6%). For employment, 883(40.9%) were unemployed, 845(39.1%) were employed, 206(9.5%) were students, and 227(10.4%) were prisoners. Based on location, 1181(54.7%) were from urban areas, and 980(45.3%) were from rural areas. The prevalence of TB was 7.2%, out of which the females were 53(34.0%) and males were 103(66.0%). The prevalence of TB among HIV patients was 32.6%. For behavior practices, drinking alcohol was found among 908(42.0%) and smokers were 186(8.6%). For all the predictors of TB occurrence, none of them was statistically associated with TB occurrence. These include demographic characteristics, behavioral factors including use of alcohol, smoking and use of tobacco products, and serology. The prevalence of TB among patients attending Muhima District was higher than the National TB prevalence estimates reported by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2019), respectively 7.2% versus 5.2%. All predictors of TB occurrence including demographic characteristics and behavioral factors none of them was associated with TB occurrence. It is worth recommending a further study to understand in-depth risk factors for TB occurrence in the era of epidemiological transition.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0045/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>