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Related Experiment Videos

Altitude: a determinant for tuberculosis in Kenya?

J R Mansoer1, D K Kibuga, M W Borgdorff

  • 1National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya.

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
|March 26, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Tuberculosis incidence in Kenya significantly decreases with higher altitudes. This study found lower tuberculosis rates in districts above 1000m compared to those below 500m.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental epidemiology
  • Public health research
  • Infectious disease dynamics

Background:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge.
  • Understanding geographical variations in TB incidence is crucial for targeted interventions.
  • Altitude as a potential environmental factor influencing disease patterns requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between altitude and tuberculosis incidence in Kenya.
  • To quantify the relationship between varying altitudes and TB notification rates across Kenyan districts.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized TB notification data from all 41 districts in Kenya (1988-1990).
  • Calculated mean altitude for each district and obtained socio-economic indicators (literacy, infant mortality) from the 1989 census.

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  • Adjusted for potential confounders including urbanization and household size.

    • Main Results:

    • Overall TB notification rate was 32/100,000, with significant district-level variation (5-222/100,000).
    • A strong negative correlation was observed between altitude and TB notification rates (r = -0.71).
    • Districts at altitudes ≥1000m had <30% of the TB notification rates seen in districts <500m, even after controlling for confounders.

    Conclusions:

    • Tuberculosis incidence in Kenya exhibits a pronounced inverse relationship with increasing altitude.
    • The findings suggest altitude may play a protective role against TB, warranting further biological and epidemiological research.
    • Exploring potential biological mechanisms underlying this altitude-TB association is recommended.