HIV-tuberculosis co-infection in conflict zones of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Nigeria bears a high burden of infectious diseases, with the second-highest human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence globally and the largest tuberculosis (TB) burden in Africa. The country faces significant challenges from armed conflicts, insurgency, kidnapping and banditry, which severely strain its healthcare system, particularly for people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study hypothesizes that PLHIV in conflict-affected regions of Nigeria experience a higher burden of TB than those in non-conflict areas.

METHODS

This cross-sectional household survey utilised a two-stage cluster sampling design to examine HIV/TB co-infection and associated behaviours in Nigeria, based on data from the 2018 Nigeria HIV/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) Indicator and Impact Survey. The sample included adults aged 15 to 64 in the selected households. We mapped the distribution of HIV/TB co-infection across the country and calculated its prevalence, stratified by conflict and non-conflict zones. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to assess the likelihood of being diagnosed with TB disease among PLHIV.

RESULTS

We analysed weighted data from 1,319,719 PLHIV across Nigeria, with 200,201(15.2%) residing in conflict zones and 1,119,518 (84.8%) in non-conflict zones. Overall, the prevalence of HIV/TB co-infection was 40.4% (52,118), with PLHIV residents of conflict zones exhibiting a significantly higher prevalence (59%, 14,976) compared to those from non-conflict zones (36%, 37,413). After adjusting for confounders, PLHIV in conflict zones were more than four times more likely to acquire TB than those from non-conflict zones (AOR: 4.21, 95% CI: 1.72-10.5, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Conflicts amplify the risk of TB among PLHIV in Nigeria, highlighting an urgent need for targeted interventions to strengthen healthcare access in these regions. The efforts are essential in achieving the goals of reducing TB prevalence by 50% and TB mortality by 75% by 2025, as well as meeting the 95-95-95 targets to control HIV by 2030.