ABSTRACT
Context: Routine chest radiographs are usually obtained from asymptomatic individuals during routine medical visits probably to detect the presence of occult disease. In sub-Saharan countries tuberculosis is endemic among young individuals; primary tuberculosis might be the most probable occult disease sought for. Aims: The aim was to determine the diagnostic yield and cost effective- ness of routine chest radiography in an asymptomatic student population in Yaounde during registration at a university. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in a University-affiliated hospital in Yaounde; Cameroon. Materials and Methods: Postero-anterior (PA) chest radiographs were obtained from students during a routine medical visit before university admission. Radiographic results were coded as normal; minor; or major findings. The estimated cost per radiograph was that of the study setting at the time of the study. Statistical Analysis Used: Epi Info software version 3.3.2 of February 9 2005 (CDC Atlanta) was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 758 students enrolled; there were 280 males and 478 females (sex ratio 1:2). The mean age of the study population was 21 years (age range 15-33 years). All enrolled cases were asymptomatic. There were 739 normal radiographs (97.5); while 19 radiographs (2.5 ) showed minor abnormalities. No major abnormality was seen. The estimated direct cost of all the radiographs obtained was 3;941;600 F CFA ($ 8;760). Conclusions: Routine chest radiography has a low diagnostic yield in asymptomatic students even in a setting where tuberculosis is endemic; and is therefore not cost-effective