Prevalence of rifampicin resistance tuberculosis among HIV/TB coinfected patients in Benue State, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: the emergence of HIV/TB co-infection has changed the global health landscape globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia with a high prevalence rate. It has further worsened and compound patient diagnosis, treatment/management approach and infection control. Rifampicin resistance TB (RR-TB) is a good indicator of treatment failure and infection control in the community. This study determines the prevalence of RR-TB among HIV/TB coinfected patients in Benue State, Nigeria. METHODS: the case-control study was carried out at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi and General Hospital, Otupko, between January 2017 and February 2018. One thousand and ten suspected tuberculosis and HIV patients were enrolled in the study, diagnosed according to WHO guidelines. Sputum samples were collected and then analyzed by acid-fast bacilli smear test and GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay. RESULTS: overall prevalence of tuberculosis by acid-fast test was 74 (7.3%), 171 (16.93%) by GeneXpert assay and 2.18% by RR-TB test respectively. Significant difference was observed between the detection technique and demographic variables, high prevalence among urban patient compared to rural (8.85%vs 5.40%; X(2)= 4.38; P = 0.036) and ethnic background of the patients (X(2)= 23.21; P = 0.000) by acid fast test. With GeneXpert, high prevalence recorded among patient within age-group15-45years (X(2)= 8.01; P = 0.046) and ethnic group (X(2)= 6.30; P = 0.044). The occurrence of HIV/TB co-infection was less associated with Idoma ethnic group (COR; 0.440; 95% C.I; 0.246 - 0.786). CONCLUSION: the relatively high prevalence of HIV/TB co-infection and RR-TB is a tremendous public health threat, considering society's attendant implication. Further surveillance studies are needed to evaluate the situation in Benue State better.