PREVALENCE OF ACTIVE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AMONG HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS ATTENDING ADULT HIV CLINIC IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN IMO STATE, SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA: A 6 YEAR REVIEW (2006-2012

Background: Worldwide, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has been accompanied by a severe epidemic of tuberculosis. HIV is the most potent risk factor for the progression of TB infection to active disease. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HIV/PTB Co-infection among HIV Sero-positive patients attending HIV clinics in Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, Imo State. Methods: This is a retrospective review of case files of HIV/AIDS patients attending HIV Clinic at Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria from 2006-2012. Results: A total of 3200 HIV/AIDS Patients had complete records and were reviewed, among which 204 (6.4%) were co-infected with PTB (95% CI, 6.1-7.7%). The age group with the highest prevalence and burden of co-infection was the 31-40 years bracket, 89 (8.8%) and 43.6% respectively. Co-infection rate was found to be statistically higher among males, 8.2%, (χ2 = 8.77, p=0.003), ever married patients, 7.2% (χ2=5.879, p=0.015), those with no tertiary education, 8.4% (χ2=47.020,P=0.000), Civil servants, 15.2% (χ 2 =28.774, p=0.000), those with CD4 count Less than or equal to 200 cell/?l, 7.4%, (χ2=17.847, p=0.000) and those with advanced stages of HIV diseases, 13.3%, (χ2=126.908, p=0.000), when compared with their counterparts. The factor with the highest influence among the significant ones was the stage of HIV diseases at diagnosis (OR=5.12, 95C1; 3.76-6.97) while the factor with the least influence was marital status (OR=1.56, 95C1; 1.09-2.01). Conclusion: The moderately high prevalence of PTB found among HIV positive patients is of grave public Health concern so there is need to develop strategies to reduce co-infection rate among HIV Seropositive patients.