Prevalence and Risk Factors to Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Patients Attending Nyahururu District Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a known pandemic worldwide with over 8.7 million new cases and 1.4 million related deaths annually. Developing countries have borne the biggest brunt with profound increase in PTB cases over the past few years. Kenya is ranked 13th among the 22 high burden countries that collectively contribute about 80% of the world's TB cases. Improved case finding has contributed to substantial increase in the notification rates in the past 2 decades. However, there is currently no reliable information on TB prevalence in some regions of Kenya. The study sought to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in relation to age and sex among patients attending Nyahururu District Hospital, Kenya, with a view to establishing risk factors associated with the disease. Both primary and secondary data was collected from 200 patients presenting with persistent cough between May and September 2012. Data was analyzed using SPSS descriptive statistical methods with measures of central tendency used for categorical variables and frequency listings for independent variables. Chi square was applied to test for associations among variables. The prevalence of PTB was 7% and was higher in females (57%) than males (43%). The age group 31-45 recorded highest number of cases (40%), 16-30 (26%) and 46-60 years (20%).  Socio-cultural factors were significantly associated with PTB with the pastoral communities recording higher frequencies; Pokot 8(55.5%), Samburu 3(20.7%) and Maasai 3(21%) but much lower among the Kikuyu 2(13.9%) and others 2(12.9%). The study established significant differences in prevalence of PTB in relation to age and sex with risk factors being poverty, illiteracy, housing conditions, HIV co-infection and cultural practices. The study recommends continuous surveillance and awareness campaigns in rural communities on risk factors in TB transmission and th importance of prompt diagnosis treatments in order to reduce TB infections.