Epidemiology of tuberculosis patients at Mithamain Upazila, Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is a hotspot for TB infection. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many aspects of healthcare, including TB control programs. Our retrospective study was conducted with a total of 6873 sputum samples from a primary-level healthcare facility in Upazila Health Complex in Mithamain Upazila, Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh over a period from January 2020 to December 2022.The sputum sample was tested by acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining. Among them, 3.08%, 2.53% and 2.03% patients were TB positive in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Positive results were higher in 25-44 years of men. No significant correlation with the incidence of TB cases in certain month was found appropriate. Farmers were found at the highest threat in in acquiring TB. By monitoring TB rates over time, public health officials can assess the impact of interventions and adjust strategies as needed to achieve the goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2030.