Five-year trend of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background - The tuberculosis epidemics in Africa is on the rise even in low HIV-prevalence settings¹. In Nigeria the burden of TB is not precisely known, but the steady rise in notifications since 1995 and the relatively high case rate among young adults probably reflect a real increase in real incidence associated with HIV and strong continuing transmission ². Our aims and objectives are to review the trend of smear positive (SS+) Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in Kano and to determine the prevalence of smear positive (SS+) PTB.

Method - This is a retrospective study of 5 years from 2001 to 2005. These involved 11,748 patients who were suspected of clinical Pulmonary Tuberculosis based on clinical presentation and chest X-rays.  Sputum smear was prepared in each case with a new slide, allowed to dry, fixed and stained using the Ziehel Nelson (ZN) Technique. A total of 11,748 patients had 3 sputa samples examined during this 5 year period.

Results - A total of 11,748 patients had their sputa examined comprising of 8331 males and 3417 females. Nine hundred and sixty one were smear positive (SS+) - 8.2%. There was a steady rise in trend of SS+ from 2001 to 2004 with a decline in 2005. The number of ordered tests also showed a steady rise from 2001 up to the 2005.

Conclusion - Pulmonary tuberculosis is still prevalent in Kano and there is continuous rise in patients turn over for screening which is a good indicator for achieving control of this epidemic. Although there was a continuous rise in the trend of SS+ PTB, the overall prevalence of 8.2% is low compared to other findings in Nigeria and other countries especially in Africa.