Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Eastern Sudan

ABSTRACT

<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>