Epidemiology of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Some Parts of Abia State, Federal Republic of Nigeria

The objectives of this study is to generate epidemiological data on tuberculosis, detect risk factors and other epidemiological issues involved in its transmission in some parts of Abia State, Nigeria. Sputum samples were collected aseptically from patients in some Public hospitals in Abia State and transported to Microbiology Laboratory, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. Isolates were confirmed at Microbiology Laboratory, Abia State University from January 2005-December, 2006. Sputum samples were decontaminated by using N-Acetyl-L-Cystein/NaOH method and 1 mL of decontaminated sample was plated on Lowenstein-Jansen medium and incubated at 37°C for at least 14 weeks. Out of 998 sputum examined, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from 198 (16.83%). Males had higher prevalence of infection in each year of study than females. Infection rates remained higher in dry season than rainy season in both 2005 and 2006. Traders, public and civil servants, police officers, Timber workers, teachers, drivers, students and pupils are among the population at risk in Abia State. Out of 198 positive sputum samples, 95 (47.97%) were new cases in 2006. This calls for the attention of public health workers, governmental and non-government agencies for concerted efforts against the disease in this region.