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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
08:10
Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis with the Xpert MTB/RIF Test
Published on: April 9, 2012
First national tuberculin survey in Nepal.
K B Shrestha1, P Malla, K K Jha
1National Tuberculosis Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Summary
Tuberculosis infection prevalence in Nepal primary schoolchildren was 7.0%, with an annual risk of infection (ARTI) of 0.86%. This ARTI is lower than previously estimated, suggesting reduced transmission.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The extent of the tuberculosis (TB) burden in Nepal remained unquantified due to the absence of national surveys.
- Previous estimates of TB transmission risk in Nepal lacked empirical data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of TB infection and the annual risk of TB infection (ARTI) among primary schoolchildren.
- To compare TB infection rates across Nepal's diverse ecological zones and the Kathmandu valley.
Main Methods:
- A representative sample of primary schoolchildren underwent tuberculin skin testing using the Mantoux method.
- Data analysis employed cut-off levels and the mirror method to define infection and estimate ARTI.
- 17,260 children were analyzed, representing 88.2% of the registered sample.
Main Results:
- The estimated prevalence of TB infection was 7.0% (95% CI 4.2-9.7).
- The annual risk of TB infection (ARTI) was estimated at 0.86% (95% CI 0.49-1.23).
- While ARTI showed regional variations, differences between ecological zones were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- The calculated ARTI in Nepal is lower than prior estimations, suggesting a potential decrease in TB transmission or an overestimation in previous assessments.
- Repeating the survey in 5 to 7 years is recommended to monitor trends in the ARTI and understand disease dynamics.
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