Publication:

HIV prevalence and diabetes prevalence among tuberculosis patients in Antananarivo city: a descriptive study

Background In developing countries, HIV infection is the main disease leads to tuberculosis (TB) active. Each tuberculosis (TB) patient of TB diagnosis and treatment centers in Antananarivo city should receive HIV serology counseling. The TB-diabetes association is rarely considered. In general population in Madagascar HIV was 0.37% in 2010 and Diabetes affects about 3% of the population. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of HIV infection and diabetes among TB patients.

Methods A descriptive study in three TB diagnosis and treatment centers in Antananarivo city was conducted between July 15, 2013 and October 30, 2013. TB Patients aged 18 years and older were enrolled. They completed HIV and blood glucose testing after informed consent.

Results Among 156 TB patients, one case is HIV positive [0.6% (0.1 - 3.6)] and two are indeterminate [1.3% (0.4 - 4.6)]. The HIV infection case relates to an extrapulmonary TB. Nine cases of diabetes were diagnosed [5.8% (3.1 - 10.6)], and four of them had their diabetes status before the study. Six diabetic are between 40 and 50 years. Among TB patients, diabetes prevalence is nine times higher than HIV prevalence (P = 0.01).

Conclusion As for people living with HIV, diabetics should benefit TB prevention and routine screening of TB. Creating mechanism of collaboration between the diabetes program and TB program should be one of heath priorities.