Risk Factors for Tuberculosis in The Gambia
Author Information
Author(s): Philip C Hill, Dolly Jackson-Sillah, Simon A Donkor, Jacob Otu, Richard A Adegbola, Christian Lienhardt
Primary Institution: Medical Research Council Laboratories, Banjul, The Gambia
Hypothesis
What are the risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis in patients attending a clinic in The Gambia?
Conclusion
Household crowding and past exposure to a known TB case are significant risk factors for tuberculosis in The Gambia.
Supporting Evidence
- HIV prevalence was 6.1% in TB cases and 3.3% in controls.
- The Jola ethnic group showed increased risk for TB.
- Household crowding was significantly associated with TB risk.
- A history of TB in another household member was a strong risk factor.
Takeaway
This study found that living in crowded homes and having someone in your house who had TB makes it more likely for you to get TB too.
Methodology
A case control study was conducted with 100 TB cases and 200 matched controls, using structured questionnaires to gather data.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from selecting clinic controls, as their health issues may relate to TB risk factors.
Limitations
Less than a third of controls had an HIV test, which may limit the assessment of HIV as a risk factor.
Participant Demographics
Median age of participants was 30 years, with a mix of ethnicities including Jola, Mandinka, and others.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 2.3–4.6
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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