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. 2018 Feb 17;18(1):266.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5149-7.

Latent tuberculosis infection and associated risk indicators in pastoral communities in southern Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study

Takele Teklu  1   2 , Mengistu Legesse  3 , Girmay Medhin  3 , Aboma Zewude  3 , Mahlet Chanyalew  3 , Martha Zewdie  4 , Biniam Wondale  3   5 , Milkessa Haile-Mariam  3   6 , Rembert Pieper  7 , Gobena Ameni  3
Affiliations

Latent tuberculosis infection and associated risk indicators in pastoral communities in southern Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study

Takele Teklu et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Research pertaining to the community-based prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is important to understand the magnitude of this infection. This study was conducted to estimate LTBI prevalence and to identify associated risk factors in the Omo Zone of Southern Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in six South Omo districts from May 2015 to February 2016. The sample size was allocated to the study districts proportional to their population sizes. Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling approach. A total of 497 adult pastoralists were recruited. Blood samples were collected from the study participants and screened for LTBI using a U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). Logistic regression was used to model the likelihood of LTBI occurrence and to identify risk factors associated with LTBI.

Results: The prevalence of LTBI was 50.5% (95% CI: 46%, 55%) with no significant gender difference (49.8% among males versus 51.2% among females; Chi-square (χ2) = 0.10; P = 0.41) and marginally non-significant increasing trends with age (44.6% among those below 24 years and 59.7% in the age range of 45-64 years; χ2 = 6.91; P = 0.075). Being residence of the Dasanech District (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.30, 5.28; P = 0.007) and having a habit of eating raw meat (AOR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.09, 7.66; P = 0.033) were significantly associated with an increased odds of being positive for LTBI. A large family size (size of 5 to 10) has significant protective effect against associated a reduced odds of being positive for LTBI compared to a family size of below 5 (AOR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.42, 0.99; P = 0.045).

Conclusions: A high prevalence of LTBI in the South Omo Zone raises the concern that elimination of TB in the pastoral communities of the region might be difficult. Screening for and testing individuals infected with TB, independent of symptoms, may be an effective way to minimize the risk of disease spread.

Keywords: Ethiopia; IGRA; LTBI; Prevalence; South Omo.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from Addis Ababa University, Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology Research and Ethics Committee as well as from the National Ethics Committee of Ethiopia (Ref No:3.10/785/07). Written consent was obtained from each study participant after a clear explanation of the study objectives and potential health and patient data confidentiality risks. Blood sample collection was undertaken under aseptic conditions by licensed medical laboratory professionals. Volunteer individuals with any sign and symptom of active TB or any other diseases during data collection time were transported by project expense to nearby health facilities to undertake complete examination. Individuals who had LTBI were advised to consult their nearby health facilities.

Consent for publication

Not applicable

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Spatial Distribution of study sites in South Omo pastoral communities, southern Ethiopia
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