Provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling among tuberculosis patients in Kassala, Eastern Sudan

Because of the overlapping global incidence of tuberculosis [TB] and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infections, collaborative efforts are required for successful TB and HIV control programs. The current study was conducted at Kassala Hospital in Eastern Sudan and investigated the implementation of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling [PITC] for patients infected with TB. Using a cross-sectional study design, patients who had been recently diagnosed with TB between January and December 2010 were consecutively enrolled. A total of 858 newly infected TB patients were enrolled in the study. Of these patients, 152 patients [17.7%] were given counseling, and 109 patients [12.7%] underwent HIV testing. The overall HIV infection rate among those tested was 18.3%. From a multivariate analysis, female sex [OR =17.0, 95% Cl = 8.7-33.1; P< 0.001], education level below secondary education [OR = 2.6, 95% Cl = 1.6-4.1; P< 0.001], rural residency [OR = 1.7, 95% Cl = 1.3-2.9; P = 0.001], and non-governmental employee status [OR=10.4, 95% Cl = 6.7-16.3; P<0.001] were each associated with lower rates of PITC. Thus, in this setting, the frequency of PITC is low among TB-infected patients and is especially low for females, those of low educational status, and non-governmental employees. 2011 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Eastern Sudan

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the epidemiological factors of tuberculosis (TB) in eastern Sudan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The socio-demographic and clinical data was retrieved from the database at Kassala hospital during the year of 2011. The medical file of consequent patients who was discharged from the same ward in the hospital was reviewed to act as control for the TB patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 670 patients were registered at Kassala hospital with clinical, laboratory and radiological evidence proven TB. Pulmonary TB accounted for 73.4% while extra-pulmonary TB was reported in 26.6% of all TB patients. The mean age (SD) was not significantly different between the cases and controls (670 in each arm). TB patients were those who had less education, and the infection more likely common among male patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intervention from outside the health field in particular awareness of associated risk factors and improvement of the educational level potentially will strengthen TB control.</p>