The burden of TB/HIV co-infection among clients attending DOTs clinic in a tertiary centre in Southwestern, Nigeria: A 5-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are closely correlated and continue to cause deleterious effects in co-infected patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of TB/HIV co-infection among directly observed treatment short-course (DOTs) clinic clients in Ogun State, Nigeria.

METHODS

The TB register and treatment cards of patients that visited the DOTs centre in Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta between January 2015 and December 2019 were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 726 TB patients' records were reviewed, among which 186 (22.5%) were co-infected with HIV. TB/HIV co-infection was significantly associated with the ⩽19 years age group 54 (37.2%), females 85 (26.7%), divorced and separated 8 (34.8%), rural residents 18 (34.0%), those who had no formal education 53 (39.8%) and the unemployed 63 (31.7%). Gender and educational status remained significant predictors of TB/HIV co-infection after adjustment for confounding factors.

DISCUSSION: Gender-sensitive programming and interventions geared towards improving knowledge of TB and HIV using a wide array of approaches should be considered.