MAGNITUDE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF TB/HIV CO INFECTION AMONG HIV INFECTED PATIENTS ATTENDING IN MEKELLE PUBLIC HOSPITALS, TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA 2024/25

Abstract

Introduction: -Tuberculosis is a contagious air born disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis species and the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide accounting for about 25% of all causes of the deaths. HIV infected clients are more susceptible to Tuberculosis infection. The World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis report of 2018 estimated that 10.0 million new cases of Tuberculosis occurred in 2017, of which over 82% of Tuberculosis deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence from this study helps to develop policies that address TB and HIV in an integrated, cost-effective manner and more efficient use of funds and resources. Objective: - The aim of this study was to assess the Magnitude and its associated factors of TB/ HIV co-infection among HIV infected patients in public hospitals of Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia 2025. Methods and materials: - Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted and the period of data collection was from November to December 2024 G.C among ART patients. Systematic sampling technique was used to select 394 participants from the total source population. Data were collected using a pretested, interviewer, administered questionnaire and reviewing the medical record of the patient (CD4 cell count, hemoglobin level, BMI, WHO clinical stage, diagnosis of opportunistic infections, and TB). Data collection tool was pretested in 5% of total sample size in Wukro General Hospital. Data were coded and entered in to Epi data and was exported to statistical package for social science version 27 for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were performed. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between independent variable and dependent variable. Variables having p value less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were exported in to multivariate logistic regression in multivariate logistic regression, p value <0.05 with 95% confidence interval (CI) was considered statistically significant. The Hosmer- Lemeshow goodness-of-fit model coefficients tests procedure was used to test for model fitting. Result – The magnitude of TB/ HIV co-infection was 18.8% and confidence interval (18.761 – 18.839). Marital status being widowed (AOR and 95% CI 0.238 (0.062, 0.903), hemoglobin level less than 11 (AOR and 95% CI 4.937 (1.884, 12.943), low CD4 count (200 cells mm3) (AOR and 95% CI 3.405 (1.174, 9.872), suspected TB patients in the household AOR and 95% CI 2.59 (1.026, 6.562) opportunistic infection without TB AOR and 95% CI (6.169 (2.272, 16.747), ambulatory AOR and 95% CI 22.906 (4.918,106.697), Bedridden AOR and 95% CI 11.436 (3.461, 37.79), poor drug adherence AOR and 95% CI 3.767 (1.389, 10.221), alcohol consumption AOR and 95% CI 15.129 (5.232, 43.748), raw/un cook foods consumption AOR and 95% CI 3.255 1.094, 9.682. were significant determinants of TB/HIV co-infection among HIV clients. Conclusion and recommendation The prevalence of tuberculosis among ART patients was high and this study indicated that marital status, hemoglobin level, CD4 count, presence of suspected TB patients in the household, presence of opportunistic infection without TB, functional status, drug adherence, alcohol consumption, utilization of raw/un cook foods were found significantly associated with TB/HIV co-infection. Providing counseling and health education regarding drug adherence, alcohol consumption and chat chewing to ART patients, and government should give priority on TB/ HIV confection.