A
THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE
(M.SC) IN EPIDEMIOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
TUBERCULOSIS
Tuberculosis commonly abbreviated
as TB is a common and often deadly infectious disease caused by various strains
of mycobacterium usually mycobacterium tuberculosis humans. The
disease primarily affects the lungs causing pulmonary tuberculosis. It can also
affect intestine, meninges, bones, joints. lymph glands,
skin and other tissues
of the body (K. Parks, preventive and social medicine,2009).
Pulmonary
tuberculosis
As mentioned above, it is the
tuberculosis infection of the lungs caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis, a gram positive acid fast bacillus.
Pulmonary tuberculosis is a leading cause of death
associated with infectious disease globally. About 95% of cases are found in
the developing countries. (Ennest et al 2007).
In the last few
years, reported cases of tuberculosis in Nigeria have been a very serious National
health problem (WHO 2003). The rise in the prevalence of tuberculosis has been
attributed to its lethal combination with HIV/AIDS each spreading each other’s
progress.
At present about 8 million people annually develop active
tuberculosis and two million die from the disease. The most vulnerable
populations remain the homeless, people living in developing nations, those
with HIV/AIDs infections and other immune-compromised states.
The clinical manifestations include
-
Cough
> 3 weeks
-
Weight
loss
-
Fever
-
Haemoptysis
-
Chest
pains
-
Night
sweats etc.
The disease is spread primarily
by air droplet infectious particles, generated by coughing, sneezing and
talking by individuals with the infection.
Diagnosis is mainly by
identification of the causative organism by microscopic examination of sputum
smear stained by ziehl Neelsen’s staining method. Treatment is by use of
multiple antibiotics therapy.
Generally there is resurgence of the disease globally. Specific
laboratory investigations can be used to ascertain positive cases of the
disease in the study population. This can determine the prevalence of tuberculosis
in study area to know whether there is conformity with the general trend.
The aims and specific objectives of
this study are:-
1. To determine the prevalence of
pulmonary tuberculosis in Abakaliki Urban Metropolis.
2.
To
identify the risk factors in the study area.
3. To determine the distribution
of the disease amongst the people in the area.
4. To proffer control measures.