Prevalence and the risk factors associated with HIV-TB co-infection in Kermanshah Province, Iran: trends between ۲۰۰۵ and ۲۰۲۱

Background: the HIV prevalence among TB patients is much higher than that observed in the general population. This study was designed to assess prevalence of TB/HIV co-infection and to determine its factors. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kermanshah Province from March ۲۰۰۵ to December ۲۰۲۱. The study population included all TB-positive patients who had healthcare records in the Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Center of the province. TB was routinely diagnosed by the positive sputum smear (Ziehel-Neelsen) and confirmed by taking GeneXpert as the reference investigation. Primary HIV infection was diagnosed by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plus, positive ELISA results were then confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result: Of ۲۵۶۹ TB patients, ۳۶۶ (۱۴.۲%) were reported HIV–TB co-infection.  The risk of HIV infection for male was ۲.۸۴ times more than that in female. There was a statistically significant increase in risk of HIV infection for those who had pulmonary TB (OR = ۲.۲۹, ۹۵% CI [۱.۴۶-۲.۹۴]). Patient with age between ۰–۱۵ years old (OR = ۰.۱۷, ۹۵% CI [۰.۰۵-۰.۲۱]), ۴۵–۶۰ years old (OR = ۰.۱۴, ۹۵% CI [۰.۰۴-۰.۱۹]), and ≥ ۶۰ years old (OR = ۰.۰۹, ۹۵% CI [۰.۰۱-۰.۱۳]) were all statistically significant for lower risk of HIV infection. Urban cases (OR = ۲.۴۸, ۹۵% CI [۱.۸۹-۳.۷۳]) share a higher risk in HIV infection. Conclusion: TB/HIV control programs that educate people on the prevalence and focus on these subgroups are likely to decrease the joint burden of TB and HIV.

Keywords:

Tuberculosis , human immunodeficiency virus , Trend , co-infection.