Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among active and passive smokers of cigarette in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey aimed at ascertaining the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among 100 men (involving active and passive smokers) was carried out at the Central Hospital Benin City, Nigeria. Sputum samples from the incoming patients of the Hospital were screened and diagnosed in the Chest Ward Laboratory of the Hospital and Ziehl-Neelsen’s staining technique was used to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The obtained results showed that, there was a prevalence of 48% pulmonary tuberculosis in active smokers and 16% in passive smokers. A high prevalence of 43% was obtained for 36-40years age group, 33% for 31-35 years age group while 25-30years of age recorded 20%. The result of this survey has serious health implication as passive smokers who may not be aware of this are mostly exposed to these dangerous smokes innocently and ignorantly. It therefore behooves on authorities of Nations to enforce all relevant laws on prohibition of smoking in public places and where such enabling laws are absent, they should be enacted in order that the health of the general public is protected from the health hazard emanating from cigarette smoking and cigarette smoke.