Million Tumato (MD,MPH), Bekele Sibuh (MD), Adanech Tadele (BSC): Assessment of Proportion (prevalence) of Tuberculosis in HIV –AIDS Case (co- infection) in Patients Taking DOT (directly observed treatment) in Hawassa Health Center, November 2004, Hawas

Introduction: - Tuberculosis has been labelled as one of most pressing and attention seeking public health problem in developing countries particularly in least developed ones. Its magnitude in highly affected regions depends on various factors which include: -socio-cultural, socio-economic and other influencing conditions.

.There were estimated 258,277 cases of all forms of TB patients in the country in 2000 E.C out of which 52,629 cases were from SNNPR. Possibility of getting HIV-AIDs in TB (Co-infection) entails pronounced relation due to various influencing factors. Gaps in case detection, investigation and management including limitations in addressing co –infection are directly related with high magnitude of morbidity and mortality due to TB/TB-AIDs co-infection. The purpose of this survey was to determine magnitude of TB –AIDS co-infection, identify associated risk factors and use findings to take appropriate measures to address problems of synergistic adverse effects and contain the pandemic

Methods:  Cross sectional survey was conducted using structured questionnaire and Tuberculosis surveillance reports of patients taking DOTS treatment regimen was reviewed. Sixty TB patients who were taking DOTS treatment on daily basis were selected (by convenient sampling). Data was analyzed manually (Tally sheet), excel.

Results:  Out of 60 TB patients who were respondents 40 were females. Mean age of respondents was 26 years and their age range was between 20 and 48 years. All of the respondents were taking DOTS treatment regimen before the study. Out of 60 respondents 23 (38%) were laboratory confirmed TB/HIV –AIDS cases. As results of clinical examination of patients with co-infection revealed most of them had sign/symptom complex of TB. 

Conclusion:  Severe illnesses encountered by patients with co –infection were due to synergistic adverse effects of TB /HIV –AIDS infections.  Cases targeted treatment and adverse effects addressing intervention measures was recommended

Keywords:  Tuberculosis, HIV –AIDS, Co –infection, ART, Ethiopia