title: Investigation outcomes of tuberculosis suspects in the health centers of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV among TB suspects in primary health care units in Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the period of February to March, 2009, a cross sectional survey was done in 27 health centers of Addis Ababa to assess the prevalence of TB and HIV among TB suspects who have > = 2 weeks symptoms of TB such as cough, fever and weight loss. Diagnosis of TB and HIV was based on the national guidelines. Information concerning socio-demographic variables and knowledge of the respondents about TB was collected using pretested questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 545 TB suspects, 506 (92.7%) of them participated in the study. The prevalence of both pulmonary and extra pulmonary TB was 46.0% (233/506). The smear positivity rate among pulmonary TB suspect was 21.3%. Of the TB suspects, 298 (58.9%) of them were tested for HIV and 27.2% (81/298) were HIV seropositive. Fifty percent of the HIV positive TB suspects had TB. TB suspects who had a contact history with a TB patient in the family were 9 times more likely to have TB than those who did not have a contact history, [OR = 9.1, (95%CI:4.0, 20.5)]. Individuals who had poor [OR = 5.2, (95%CI: 2.3, 11.2)] and fair knowledge [OR = 3.7, (95%CI: 1.3, 10.4)] about TB were more likely to have TB than individuals who had good knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the prevalence of TB among TB suspects with duration of 2 or more weeks is high. Fifty percent of the HIV positive TB suspects had TB. Case finding among TB suspects with duration of 2 or more weeks should be intensified particularly among those who have a contact history with a TB patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. amare_deribew@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Amare
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deribew
authors.forename: Nebiyu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Negussu
authors.forename: Zenebe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Melaku
authors.forename: Kebede
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deribe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult