The Prevalence of HIV/AIDS Among Tuberculosis Patients In a Tuberculosis/Leprosy Referral Center in Alushi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of HIV infection among Tuberculosis (TB) confirmed patients of a TB/Leprosy referral centre in Alushi in view of the significance of HIV in TB. Its association with gender and age was also determined. Blood samples were collected by venepuncture from 257 TB patients and their HIV status determined. Viral antibody detection was carried out using a WHO approved ELISA kit called ‘Determine’ which detects both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Of the 257 patients screened, 44.20% (106) were HIV positive. The prevalence of coinfection was higher among the females (44.82%) than the males (38.30%) patients and highest among those aged 21-40 years old (45.30%). Coinfection was found to be statistically highly associated with gender and age (p<.05). This high prevalence calls for routine screening of TB patients for HIV.