Tuberculosis: a review of current concepts and control programme in Nigeria

The burden of tuberculosis in Nigeria is the highest in Africa. Therefore, improved knowledge of health workers on the current issues concerning the disease, including the National guideline, is important for effective disease control.

An in-depth search of relevant literature on the subject area. This includes texts and operational documents of the Nigerian national tuberculosis programme, as well as online searches using Pubmed, Africanjournal online (Ajol), and Google scholar.

About one third of the world population is infected with tuberculous bacilli with up to 10% lifetime risk of developing the disease. Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) especially the reactivated latent infection is the major source of the infection in communities. In an effort to increase case detection, a single acid fast bacillus in at least one of two sputum smears is currently adequate to diagnose PTB. Furthermore, there is a global effort to eliminate the disease by the year 2050 and these efforts are coordinated in Nigeria by the National tuberculosis controlprogramme.

Tuberculosis is an impediment to human development in developing countries, especially in this era of HIV pandemic. Continuing education of health professional on tuberculosis and its accessible treatment, will improve patients' education, proper management and appropriate referral.