A retrospective study of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) prevalence amongst patients attending infrectious diseases hospital, in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

A retrospective study aimed at ascertaining the prevalence of Pulmonary TB amongst patients attending Infectious Diseases Hospital, Kano was conducted between January, 2006 and July, 2008. Sputum samples were obtained from three thousand six hundred and seventy nine (3679) patients. Samples were smeared on glass slides, stained using Ziehl Neelsen Stain and later observed under light (oil immersion) microscopy. The results showed that were positive for tuberculosis had prevalence of 541 (14.7%) out of 3679 subjects. The age group 30-43 years had the highest prevalence of 145 (17.0%) out of 858 of PTB positive subjects. There was no significant difference between age groups and sex of subjects with PTB positivity {X 2 : 11.07 at P= 0.05 and X 2 =15.09 at P=0.01}; similarly, the difference between prevalence of PTB in male and female subjects between the three year period{X 2 =14.07 at P= 0.05 and X 2= 18.48 at P=0.01} was not significant. It is noteworthy that PTB is still a serious disease in this part of the world, thus, there is need for stepping up TB awareness, treatment and control program.