Epidemiology of tuberculosis in a rural area [El-Hawaslia village, El-Minya governorate]

ABSTRACT

A cross sectional study was conducted to measure the prevalence of tuberculosis. Questionnaires were filled, tuberculin test [2 TU] was conducted, X-ray chest was done and sputum samples were obtained in a systematic r and om sample. Tuberculin positivity increased with age to reach its maximum at the age group of 31 - 50 years, then declined gradually after that. The overall percentage of infection estimated by tuberculin test within the sample was 39.9%. Lung shadows possibly related to tuberculosis were 7%. Pulmonary shadows unlikely were related to tuberculosis in 14%. Acid fast bacilli were found by smear in 1.4% and by culture in 2.3% within the sample. Many factors were contributed to the persistence of the disease in this rural area. Vaccination by BCG must be obligatory and improving the nutritional status of the individuals was highly recommended