Prevalence of Tuberculosis, Rifampicin Resistant Tuberculosis and Associated Risk Factors in Presumptive Tuberculosis Patients Attending Some Hospitals in Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

The accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), detection of drug‐resistant TB and knowledge of the associated risk factors can reduce transmission of TB in the community. Therefore this study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Mycobaterium tuberculosis(MTB) and its resistance to Rifampicin using GeneXpert in presumptive tuberculosis patients attending some hospitals in Kaduna, Nigeria. A total of 198 sputum samples were collected and screened from participants who had been administered questionnaires using Ziehl Neelsen Acid Fast Bacilli (ZN AFB) method and GeneXpert molecular technique. Data obtained showed that using the Zn AFB staining technique, MTB was seen in 65 sputum test results but with the GeneXpert technique, MTB was further detected in 15 sputum sample, bringing the total to 80, thus confirming that GeneXpert was more sensitive in detecting TB compared to the ZN AFB method. The overall prevalence of TB and Rifampicin resistant TB (RRTB) was 40.4% and 1.25% respectively. A higher prevalence rate was reported among male subjects (47.2%), age group 31‐40 years (50.9%), HIV positive subjects (54.5%), those that smoke cigarettes (72.2%) and those that has previous contact with someone living with TB infection (82.4%). Assay for statistical significance showed that independent variables that were significantly associated with the rate of occurrence of TB (p<0.05 at 95% C.I) were Age, Gender, HIV Status, smoking behaviour and previous contact with someone having TB. The only RRTB case detected was a male who has had a previous contact with someone living with TB infection. This study indicates a low burden of rifampicin resistant tuberculosis among the participants. It is thus concluded that rapid detection of TB and Rifampicin resistant strains using GeneXpert and other molecular techniques for TB diagnosis in clinical settings is key to early access to the right therapy; it will also improve treatment outcomes and decrease transmission rates.