Screening and case detection for tuberculosis among people living with HIV in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The spread of HIV epidemic in Africa has resulted in a fourfold increase in the number of tuberculosis cases. Screening for tuberculosis among people living with HIV would increase case detection. In Ethiopia, it is neither practiced well nor researched in depth.

To assess the proportion of Screening and Case Detection for Tuberculosis among People Living with HIV.

Between February 2008 and May 2008, a cross sectional facility-based survey was conducted by exit interview of 406 people living with HIV whether they have been asked by health providers for the presence of cough or unusual lump in their lymph node sites as recommended by National TB/HIV implementation guideline from HIV chronic care.

Based on our findings, 89.7% of clients reported being screened for tuberculosis at least once during their follow-up visits. The case detection rate while screening was 15.6%. Male respondents were about two times more likely to be diagnosed for tuberculosis than females [AOR (95% CI) 2.18 (1.30-3.66)].

In general, there was high proportion of screening and case detection for tuberculosis among people living with HIV. The screening has to be well strengthened as many more active cases can be detected.