Epidemiology of pulmonary tuberculosis in Maiduguri Metropolis, Northeastern Nigeria: a hospital-based retrospective study (2003-2012)

INTRODUCTION: tuberculosis is ranked alongside HIV as a leading killer disease worldwide. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among patients attending chest clinic located within the Maiduguri Metropolis from 2003 through 2012. METHODS: this study is conducted retrospectively, utilizing hospital records from patients attending Borno state chest clinic referral centre. Data on age and sex of patients were also recorded during data collection and retrieval from hospital records. RESULTS: a total of 13,886 patients were registered and attended the referral clinic for tuberculosis examination during the study period (2003-2012), of which 58.4% were males and 25% patients aged ≤15 years. The mean age of patients was 35.5 ± 10.3. Out of these patients, 3,150 patients were confirmed positives, given an overall prevalence of 22.7% (95% CI: 22.0 - 23.4). Compared with other age groups, patients aged between 26 - 35 years had three times the risk of PTB (RR = 3.0; 95% CI: 2.05 - 4.00; p < 0.0001). Similarly, male patients were 1.3 times as likely to develop the disease as compared with the female patients during the study period (RR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.22 - 1.39; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: despite its limitations, this study as other similar studies reveals that PTB still remains an important public health threat in the study area. It is further recommended, a review of the current government policy on the prevention and control of tuberculosis be carried out.