Abstract:
Background: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis is a mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infection that affects tissues and organs outside of the pulmonary parenchyma, accounting for 20 to 25% of all TB cases.
Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the magnitude and associated factors of extrapulmonary tuberculosis among suspected patients attending Hospitals located in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 used a multi-stage sampling technique with 717 sample size. Data were collected by using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and a gene expert, x-ray imaging investigation results, and a physician's decision to confirm extrapulmonary tuberculosis clinically. The data were entered into Epi Data software version 3.1 and exported to SPSS Version 25 for analysis. Bivariate logistic regression was used to see the association between the independent and outcome variables. Those variables with p-value < 0.25 in the bivariate analyses were included to the multivariable analysis to control confounding effect. An adjusted odd ratio was used to describe the strength of association with 95% CI and p-value < 0.05 was taken to determine statistically significant factors.
Results: A total of 711 extrapulmonary tuberculosis suspect patients (response rate 99.2%), 373(52.5%) males, were included in the study. 402(56.5%) were aged 35 and above years, with the mean age of 38.3(SD±14.4). This study indicated that the prevalence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was 49.5% (95%CI= 45.9 - 52.9). Housewives [AOR = 2.67; 95 % CI: 1.33, 5.34], EPTB suspected patients with a history of contact with family members who had known tuberculosis disease [AOR= 2.51; 95% CI; 1.36, 4.63], Patients suspected with EPTB who lived in a house without windows [AOR= 3.38; CI 95 %, 1.87, 6.12], EPTB suspected patients who were hindered by transportation and TB diagnosis costs [AOR= 2.72; CI 95 %, 1.85, 6.12], EPTB suspected patients who consumed raw milk [AOR= 2.04; CI 95 %, 0.28, 0.64] had positive association with EPTB.
Conclusion and Recommendations: In conclusion, our study found a high prevalence of EPTB among suspected patients in Bahir Dar City hospitals. As the responders come from various localities, this clearly demonstrates that EPTB is a significant public health challenge in the Amhara region. Being housewives, had a history of contact with family members who had known TB disease, lived in a house without windows, those hindered by transportation and TB diagnosis costs, and had consumed raw milk/meat habits were significant variables showing statistical association with extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Keywords: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, Hospitals, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia