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Tuberculosis in Nigeria

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health issue in Nigeria, ranking among the top countries with high TB burdens globally. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily affects the lungs, though it can also impact other parts of the body. Nigeria accounts for a substantial percentage of TB cases in Africa, and efforts to control the disease remain ongoing.[1][2]

Epidemiology

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Nigeria is one of the 30 high TB burden countries identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO estimates, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of TB infections worldwide, with thousands of new cases reported annually. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is also a growing concern, making treatment more challenging.[3]

Tuberculosis-x-ray-1

Causes and risk factors of tuberculosis

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Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis [4] and is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets. When an individual with active pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes, or talks, tiny infectious droplets are released into the air. Inhaling these droplets allows the bacteria to enter the lungs, where they may multiply and spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

  • High Population Density in Urban Areas : Overcrowded living conditions in major cities such as Lagos, Kano, and Abuja facilitate the spread of airborne diseases, including TB. In densely populated environments, close contact among individuals increases the likelihood of inhaling infectious droplets, leading to higher transmission rates.[5]
  • Poor Healthcare Infrastructure : Nigeria faces significant challenges in healthcare delivery, including inadequate diagnostic facilities, limited healthcare professionals, and insufficient funding for TB control programs. Many individuals, particularly in rural areas, lack access to prompt TB diagnosis and treatment, allowing the disease to spread unchecked.[6][7]
  • Limited Access to Quality Medical Care : Many Nigerians, especially those in remote or economically disadvantaged communities, struggle to access healthcare services due to financial constraints, long travel distances, and overburdened health facilities. As a result, TB cases often go undetected or untreated, increasing community transmission.[8]
  • Co-Infection with HIV/AIDS : HIV/AIDS significantly increases the risk of developing active TB. The virus weakens the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nigeria has one of the highest HIV/AIDS burdens in Africa, and the interaction between TB and HIV has led to higher mortality rates among co-infected individuals.
  • Malnutrition and Poverty : Poor nutrition weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to TB infection and its progression from latent to active disease. Poverty also limits access to healthcare, nutritious food, and clean living environments, further exacerbating TB transmission and disease severity.
  • Low Public Awareness and Delayed Diagnosis : Many people in Nigeria have limited knowledge about TB symptoms, transmission, and the importance of seeking medical care early. Misconceptions and stigma surrounding the disease often lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Without early detection, individuals with active TB unknowingly spread the infection to others.
  • Drug Resistant TB and Treatment Non-Compliance : The emergence of multi drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)[9] poses a growing threat to TB control efforts. MDR-TB arises when patients do not complete their prescribed treatment regimen, allowing the bacteria to develop resistance to first line antibiotics. Poor adherence to medication is often due to inadequate healthcare supervision, financial constraints, or side effects of TB drugs.[10]

Government and international response

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The Nigerian government in collaboration with international organizations such as WHO, the Global Fund, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has implemented various strategies to combat TB.[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ "Glossary of Linguistic Terms". Glossary of Linguistic Terms. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  2. ^ "Nigeria is among the 14 high burden countries for TB - KNCV Nigeria". 2019-12-31. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  3. ^ tbassessment.stoptb.org https://tbassessment.stoptb.org/Nigeria.html. Retrieved 2025-03-28. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ CDC (2025-02-05). "Tuberculosis: Causes and How It Spreads". Tuberculosis (TB). Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  5. ^ Boyce, Matthew R.; Katz, Rebecca; Standley, Claire J. (2019-09-29). "Risk Factors for Infectious Diseases in Urban Environments of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Critical Appraisal of Evidence". Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 4 (4): 123. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed4040123. ISSN 2414-6366. PMC 6958454. PMID 31569517.
  6. ^ Rosapep, Lauren A.; Faye, Sophie; Johns, Benjamin; Olusola-Faleye, Bolanle; Baruwa, Elaine M.; Sorum, Micah K.; Nwagagbo, Flora; Adamu, Abdu A.; Kwan, Ada; Obanubi, Christopher; Atobatele, Akinyemi Olumuyiwa (2022). "Tuberculosis care quality in urban Nigeria: A cross-sectional study of adherence to screening and treatment initiation guidelines in multi-cadre networks of private health service providers". PLOS Global Public Health. 2 (1): e0000150. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0000150. ISSN 2767-3375. PMC 10021846. PMID 36962145.
  7. ^ Oga-Omenka, Charity; Boffa, Jody; Kuye, Joseph; Dakum, Patrick; Menzies, Dick; Zarowsky, Christina (December 2020). "Understanding the gaps in DR-TB care cascade in Nigeria: A sequential mixed-method study". Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases. 21: 100193. doi:10.1016/j.jctube.2020.100193. ISSN 2405-5794. PMC 7578750. PMID 33102811.
  8. ^ Adedini, Sunday A.; Odimegwu, Clifford; Bamiwuye, Olusina; Fadeyibi, Opeyemi; De Wet, Nicole (2014). "Barriers to accessing health care in Nigeria: implications for child survival". Global Health Action. 7: 23499. doi:10.3402/gha.v7.23499. ISSN 1654-9880. PMC 3957799. PMID 24647128.
  9. ^ Oga-Omenka, Charity; Boffa, Jody; Kuye, Joseph; Dakum, Patrick; Menzies, Dick; Zarowsky, Christina (December 2020). "Understanding the gaps in DR-TB care cascade in Nigeria: A sequential mixed-method study". Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases. 21: 100193. doi:10.1016/j.jctube.2020.100193. ISSN 2405-5794. PMC 7578750. PMID 33102811.
  10. ^ Koch, Anastasia; Cox, Helen; Mizrahi, Valerie (October 2018). "Drug-resistant tuberculosis: challenges and opportunities for diagnosis and treatment". Current Opinion in Pharmacology. 42: 7–15. doi:10.1016/j.coph.2018.05.013. ISSN 1471-4973. PMC 6219890. PMID 29885623.
  11. ^ https://ntblcp.org.ng/content/uploads/2023/06/NSP-For-TB-CONTROL-2021-2025-compressed.pdf
  12. ^ fundsforNGOs (2024-09-16). "USAID integrated Delivery of Tuberculosis Service (iDOTS) Activity Program – Nigeria - fundsforNGOs". Retrieved 2025-03-29.