Two Year Review of Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy in HIV Clients Accessing Antiretroviral Therapy in A Tertiary Hospital, North-West Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for a considerable number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related deaths. Recent inclusion of isoniazid, as one of the preventive therapies in HIV management, is one of the public health interventions for the prevention of TB among People Living with HIV (PLHIV). In Nigeria, the programme implementation has not been optimal. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) and review the incidence of TB among PLHIV.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of clients who assessed TPT in 2015 was conducted in a tertiary hospital, Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria. The clients were followed for a period of two (2) consecutive years, 2016-2018. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 23.0.

Results: A total of 376 clients were enrolled, 259 (68.9%) were females while 117(31.1%) were male, 257 (76.9%) were married. There were 8 cases of TB with 2.13 per 100 person-years (PY). There were statistically significant increases in mean CD4+ cell count, weight and haemoglobin. Bivariate analysis showed no significant association between age, sex, marital status, religion and development of TB. Multivariate logistic regression showed completion of TPT significantly reduced risk of developing TB (p= 0.000). (AOR 16.48, 95%
CI = 4.85 - 56.01).

Conclusion: TPT use and completion in PLHIV significantly reduced risk of TB over a 2-year period. All efforts should be made to ensure its availability, usage and adherence in these individuals.