The association of TB with HIV infection in Oromia Regional National State, Ethiopia in 2006/7

Background: Infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an established risk factor for tuberculosis infection. Population-based data on associations between HIV and tuberculosis (TB) can provide an epidemiological assessment of the impact of HIV infection on TB in environments where individual based data are difficult to collect. Method: We used an ecological study to assess the association between infection with HIV and tuberculosis in Oromia Region National State, Ethiopia in 2006/7. Result: The prevalence of HIV infection was significantly associated with the incidence of TB across the areas in Oromia region (r=0.69, p<0.01). Similar associations were also seen for the prevalence of HIV infection with the incidence of smear positive tuberculosis, smear negative tuberculosis and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusion: Ecological association between HIV and TB is strong in Oromia Regional state. Therefore, in areas where there are high TB case notification rates, it is important to consider the possibility that the prevalence of HIV may also be increasing, and take appropriate public health measures to assess and address these issues.