By Conan Businge
New Vision (Kampala)
13 January 2008
THE tuberculosis infection rate in the country is increasing, according to a study by the tuberculosis control assistance programme (TBCAP) of the Ministry of Health.
The ministry recorded an increase in infections of almost 12% between 2001 and 2005, with cases rising from 37,600 to 42,000. Currently, the TB infection rate is at 49.5% annually, putting the current number of TB patients at 500,000, according to the study.
The TBCAP programme manager, Dr. Francis Adutu, said the identification and treatment of TB should immediately be intensified.
He added that there are 80,000 new TB infections in the country annually.
According to the national policy guidelines for TB/HIV collaborative activities in Uganda, "HIV is the biggest risk factor for the development of active tuberculosis.
At present, an estimated 70% of TB patients are also co-infected with HIV."
It says tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS and that the number of TB patients co-infected with HIV, has moved from five to seven, in every 10 people, in the last two years. The study estimates that 30% of the deaths among AIDS patients are attributed to TB.
Adutu released the findings during the official launch of the tuberculosis control assistance programme at Colline Hotel Mukono on Friday.
The programme will be implemented in phases, starting with 12 districts this year in central, western, eastern, and south western regions.
TB is a chronic disease caused by a bacterium. The signs include cough lasting more than three weeks, chest pain, evening fever, and excessive sweating at night.
Adutu blamed the increase in TB infections on HIV/AIDS, the country's poor health infrastructure, lack of awareness among the public, and poor sanitation in slum areas, where most of the infection cases have been recorded.
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