Background: One third of the world’s population constituting 2 billion
people are infected with Tuberculosis (TB), which is the second most common
cause of mortality amongst communicable diseases. Nigeria ranks fourth among 22
high TB burden countries. One of the major challenges to the control of TB is
the presence and interaction of TB with HIV. In many parts of Africa, infection
with HIV has further increased TB morbidity and mortality. To effectively
control TB in Africa the co-infection with HIV must be perfectly understood and
adequate measures and strategies developed and implemented. Methods: This was a
cross sectional descriptive study, carried out between January 2012 and April
2014 at the DOTS clinic of a tertiary hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria. Three
hundred and eighty-four tuberculosis patients were interviewed using a
structured questionnaire and data on their HIV status and other characteristics
were collected. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 20. Results: Three
hundred and eighty-four tuberculosis patients participated in the study. Eighty-six
patients (22.4%) were HIV seropositive. There were 182 males (47.4%) and 202
females (52.6%). The commonest age group was the group 20 - 39 years (51.6%).
HIV seropositivity was highest among the age group 20 - 39 years and this was
statistically significant (X2 = 11.14, p = 0.01). The married
patients had the highest proportion of HIV seropositivity and this was statistically
significant (X2 = 40.76, p = 0.00). The unemployed patients had the
highest proportion of HIV seropositivity and it was statistically significant
(X2 = 35.14, p = 0.00). Conclusion: Some basic characteristics of
tuberculosis patients predispose them to HIV/TB co-infection. The
characteristics must be explored further and be factored in the strategies to
control tuberculosis in Africa.
Cite this paper
Azuike, E. C. , Azuike, E. D. , Azuike, E. D. , Ohamaeme, M. C. , Obi, D. C. , Iloghalu, I. C. , Udedibia, I. N. , Ebulue, C. C. , Epundu, U. U. , Chikezie, N. I. , Aniagboso, C. C. and Ezenyeaku, C. A. (2014). Characteristics of HIV Co-Infected Patients among Tuberculosis Patients Accessing Care at a DOTS Clinic in South-Eastern Nigeria. Open Access Library Journal, 1, e871. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1100871.
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