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Tuberculosis (TB) is among ancient diseases which for over 4000 years has been
affecting mankind. Tanzania is among the 22 TB high burden countries despite
government’s efforts to fight the disease. Illicit drug users (IDU) constitute the population
at high risk of harboring TB infection in the community. A cross sectional study was
conducted between April and August 2020 to investigate the prevalence and risk factors
associated with TB and drug-resistant TB amongst illicit drug users in Temeke district,
Dar es Salaam. A total of 384 IDUs were recruited, each consenting participant providing
spot sputum sample which was analyzed using GeneXpert, smear microscopy and LJ
culture at Central TB reference laboratory (CTRL) in Dar es Salaam. Information on
IDUs was obtained through structured Questionnaires and analyzed using univariate
analysis in General Linear Model, variables with p-value < 0.2 were further analyzed
using Binary Logistic Regression using IBM SPSS Version 20, variables with p-values
< 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Overall, TB prevalence among IDUs was
9.89% which was significantly high compared to the reported TB prevalence of 0.25% in
Tanzanian general population in 2018. Prevalence of TB among active IDUs was 16.15%
and IDUs under methadone was 3.6%. Prevalence of Drug Resistance TB was found to be
2.43% for overall IDUs, among active IDUs was 3.23% and 0% for IDUs under
methadone treatment. Previous TB treatment interference, HIV positivity and active illicit
drug use were the risk factors significantly associated with TB infection, with (p=0.001,
OR=140. 6, 95% CI=17.4-1129.9), (p=0.024; OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.4-3.3) and (p=0.004,
OR=5.1, 95% CI=2.2-11.9) respectively. These findings call for immediate intervention
strategies specifically focusing amongst population at high risk of acquiring and
spreading TB, through ensuring early diagnosis and proper treatment to avoid long
transmission time of the disease in communities. |
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