PREVALENCE, ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AND TREND OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN ARBA MINCH GENERAL HOSPITAL, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious global health issue, causing significant illness and death. Its impact is high in developing countries including Ethiopia. Assessing the existing trend, prevalence and associated risk factors at local setting is important for TB control and prevention at specific localities. To assess prevalence, associated risk factors and trend of pulmonary TB (PTB) in Arba Minch General Hospital, South Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted. Sample, socio-demographic and clinical data were collected from presumptive TB patients, who were attending at Arba Minch General Hospital from March to May, 2024. In addition, a five year retrospective data (2019-2023) were reviewed. Data were recorded in Excel spreadsheet and transferred into SPSS version 27. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done. Statistical significance was declared at P-value < 0.05. In this study, the prevalence of PTB was 13.7% (95%CI: 11%, 16%). The rate of PTB gradually increased from 11.2% in 2019 to a peak of 22.1% in 2021, and then decreased to 8.2% in 2023. PTB presumptive patients aged 30-44 years old (AOR= 4.4; 95%CI: 1.4, 13.7), merchant (AOR= 4.2; 95%CI: 1.2, 14.5), cigarette smoking (AOR=6.1; 95%CI: 2.7, 13.8), khat chewing (AOR=4.5; 95%CI: 1.9, 10.5) and close contact with known TB patient (AOR=5.0; 95%CI: 1.3, 19.6) were factors associated with being PTB positive. A study revealed a 13.7% prevalence of PTB, demonstrating a dynamic pattern over time. Initially, prevalence was 11.2% in 2019, escalating to 22.1% during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, and subsequently decreasing to 8.2% by 2023. Multivariate analysis identified age, occupation, history of close contact with PTB, cigarette smoking, and khat chewing as significant predictors of PTB