Assessing the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Tuberculosis Infection Among Patients in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the key public health issues in Nigeria, especially in the semi-urban regions like the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Although there is a continuous control effort, there are minimal data on socio-demographic, behavioural, as well as environmental determinants of the TB infection in this region. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of tuberculosis infection among adult patients in the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Nigeria.

Objectives of study: To assess the association between patients’ level of knowledge about TB transmission and their risk of TB infection in Gwagwalada. To determine how patients’ attitudes towards TB (e.g., stigma, care-seeking) influence their risk of infection. To identify socio-demographic, behavioral, and environmental risk factors associated with TB infection. To determine the prevalence of TB among patients attending selected health facilities in Gwagwalada.To examine the relationship between the adoption of preventive practices (such as the use of face masks, adequate ventilation, and early diagnosis) and TB infection rates among patients in Gwagwalada.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design, sampling 325 participants (aged 18 years and above) using systematic random sampling. The study instrument was a structured questionnaire used to collect data on socio-demographic, behavioural, and environmental factors, as well as knowledge and awareness of TB. TB status was confirmed in the laboratory with the normal diagnostic tests. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests at a 5% level of significance.

Result: The research found that the prevalence of TB was 14.5%, which shows that the burden of infection is quite low but yet persistent. It was also found that TB infection was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with certain risk factors, smoking, wearing a mask, overcrowding, and poor ventilation. The respondents had good knowledge of the prevention and treatment of TB, but the stigma and disclosure fear were quite prevalent.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the socio-economic factors, health behaviour, and environmental exposure are determinants of TB infection in UATH, Gwagwalada. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that targeted interventions, including health education, improved living conditions, and communication of behaviour change, should be implemented to mitigate the spread of TB and improve detection at an early stage.

Recommendation: There is a pressing need for the Government and health authorities to increase the availability of TB diagnostic devices, such as GeneXpert and digital chest X-ray machines, in primary and secondary health care institutions in order to ensure early case identification. Active community-based case-finding interventions, especially in high-risk populations and close contacts, as well as in overcrowded populations, need to be implemented in health programs by relevant authorities. There is a need to project community sensitisation and media advocacy on reducing stigma associated with TB.