Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among Tuberculosis Patients Attending Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) Clinic in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among tuberculosis (TB) patients attending directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) clinic in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was investigated. Out of 152 blood samples collected from TB positive patients, 74 had HIV infection. Among the 74 HIV/TB positive patients, 42 (27.6 %) were females while 32 (21.1 %) were males. As regards age, age group 31-40yrs recorded the highest prevalence of (17.11 %) compared to other age groups. Followed by age groups 21-3yrs and 41-50yrs, 13.16 % and 7.24 %, respectively. In addition, the highest number of HIV positive TB male patients was recorded among 31-40yrs 12 (7.89 %), followed by age group 21-30yrs 8 (5.26 %) while there was no HIV positive TB male patient among age group 61-70yrs (0). However, among the TB positive female patients, the highest was recorded among age group 31-40yrs 14 (9.21 %), followed by age group 21-30yrs 12 (7.89 %), while age group 61-70yrs had the least number of HIV positive TB patients 1 (0.66 %). More so, in line with this study, the overall prevalence rate of HIV/TB co-infection was 48.7 %. This therefore shows that the prevalence of the co-infection is high despite measures taken in the previous years to combat it. Furthermore, as regards the increase in the prevalence rate of the co-infection, factors such as smoking, indulgence in alcohol, sexually active patients as well as having multiple sex partners were observed to predispose patient and increase the likelihood of co-infection with TB/HIV, thereby increase the prevalence rate.