Assessing Tuberculosis and Risk Factors: Population Study in Rivers State, Nigeria's Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), an infectious airborne bacterium primarily impacting the lungs and instigating a chronic inflammatory response, persists as an enduring menace. This study aims to evaluate the interplay between MTB infection and associated risk factors in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study involved 392 participants from three local government areas (LGAs): Eleme, Obio/Akpor, and PHALGA. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographics variables and associated risk factors. A stratified random sampling method was employed. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and Spearman's correlation coefficient, was performed using SPSS version 25. Correlation analysis of socio-demographic variables revealed no significant associations with MTB, as indicated by non-significant p-values of (p=0.27), (p=0.83), (p=0.42), (p=0.35), (p=0.49), (p=0.28) for age, sex, education, occupation, marital status and geographical area respectively. However, significant positive weak correlations emerged between MTB infection and cough (p=0.00), hepatitis (p=0.01), coughing blood (p=0.00), and fever (p=0.00). Conversely, family TB history (p=0.93), cough lasting 2 weeks (p=0.84), weight loss (p=0.19), contact with a person who has been coughing for 2 weeks (p=0.93), and alcohol consumption (p=0.55) did not show significant associations. While demographic characteristics alone may not be strong predictors of MTB infection, this study highlights the complex interplay between various risk factors Addressing these risk factors through targeted interventions and raising awareness can contribute to reducing the TB burden in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.