Detection of HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis among University Students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Assessment of HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is crucial to detect HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis coinfection and the strategy for infection management and treatment. This study assessed the proportion of students with HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis coinfection. Two hundred and thirty five university students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria were recruited, ages 16 to 39 years. Samples of blood were collected and processed using standard laboratory procedures. All the students were screened for antibodies to HIV using 2 rapid screening strips and a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based kit for determination of HIV-1/2/P24/O. Presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was done using Global TB rapid kits and a commercially available ELISA-based kit. The results showed that 3.4% of the students were positive for HIV, 2.1% for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and none for HIV/Mycobacterium tuberculosis coinfection. The age-specific infection rate showed a higher HIV infection rate in the age group 16-24 years (4.7%) than less than 25 years (2.8%). While higher Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection rate occurred in the age group >25 years (2.8%) than in less than 25 years (2.3%). The gender-specific infection rate showed that females had a higher infection rate (HIV, 4.7% and TB, 2.3%) than males (HIV, 2.6% and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 1.7%). Age and sex were the main correlates (P<0.05) of HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study further confirmed the presence of HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections among University students. These findings suggest the need for regular screening of University students for HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Prevalence of Tuberculosis among Presumptive Tuberculosis Patients Offered HIV Testing Services in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria

“…The association was, however, not statistically significant (p = 0.252). There is nonstatistical association between this study and a study in Port Harcourt Nigeria which showed that females had higher TB (2.3%) than males (1.7%) and sex was the main correlate (P<0.05) of TB [39]. For the association between HIV and tuberculosis, the prevalence of tuberculosis among presumptive TB patients with HIV was 29.6%.…”

“…The finding from this study is dissimilar to findings from studies including in Benue state Nigeria which showed that the prevalence of TB significantly (χ 2 = 8.458; P = 0.003) highest in the 15-34 years age group (22.0%) compared to other age groups [26]. Also, in Port Harcourt Nigeria, the age-specific infection rate had a higher Tb in the age group >25 years (2.8%) than in <25 years (2.3%) and Age was the main correlate (P<0.05) of TB [39]. The possible reason for the dissimilar findings between this study and other studies may be due to variation in study populations between the studies.…”