Abstract
Background: IDU is widespread in Georgia and regardless of HIV status it is at increased risk of developing active TB. It is necessary to identify the screening and effectively address the TB cases among IDUs.
Aim: To assess the prevalence of TB among IDUs.
Methodology: Using the data of prospective cohort study: from April 2008 to January 2011 IDUs at harm reduction and VCT sites were screened for TB symptoms using the questionnaire.
TB suspect cases were referred to TB units for further investigation and diagnosis.
Results: 4985 IDUs were screened for TB symptoms, 79 (2%) from them were female and 4906 (98%) –male. Mean age was 33. 81 (1.6%) from the screened IDU-s were HIV-positive and 2304 (46%) were diagnosed to have Hepatitis B or C.
436 (8.7%) were defined as TB suspects. They were presented at TB unites for further examinations. TB was confirmed in 175 cases, 109 (62%) had pulmonary TB and 66 (38%) – extrapulmonary. The prevalence of TB among IDU-s was 3510 per 100.000 which is 26 times greater as compared to TB prevalence in general population.
Conclusions: Given the high risk for TB among IDUs, interventions such as active case finding, is urgently needed to detect TB cases as early as possible and treat them adequately.
- © 2011 ERS