Haematological Indices and Predisposing Factors Associated with Tuberculosis at Federal Medical Center Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by bacterium “Mycobacterium tuberculosis”. It is a systemic infection and has deleterious effect on both circulatory and respiratory systems, and thrives more in a society with little knowledge of its predisposing factors.

Aim of the Study: This study was carried out to identify the predisposing factors of tuberculosis and its effects on haematological indices of the positive patients at the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: The blood samples were analyzed manually for the indices while predisposing factors of Tuberculosis were obtained with the aid of a structured self-administered questionnair,these were administered simultaneously while the blood samples were been collected.

Results and Discussion: Results were considered to be statistically signifificant (P<0.05), (OR>1). Simple frequencies were also computed. The results revealed that Haemoglobin (P=0.001); Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P=0.020); Neutrophils (P=0.002); Eosinophils (P=0.000); Monocytes (P=0.000); Platelets (P=0.001) of the Tuberculosis positive patients when compared with the controls, showed, statistically (P<0.05) significant haematological abnormalities. History of Tuberculosis in family (Odd ratio=9.3) and Alcoholism (OR=6.0) were significant predisposing factors of Tuberculosis. Other predisposing factors; smoking habits (OR=2.7), Educational status (OR=2.2), marital status (OR=1.3) were also associated with Tuberculosis infection, while employment status (OR=1.0) and socio-economic status (OR=0.1) were not. Tuberculosis infection in this study adversely affected Haemoglobin, Platelets, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Neutrophil, Eosinophil and Monocyte values, while family history of Tuberculosis and Alcoholism were significantly associated with the infection.

Conclusion: Quarrantine of Tuberculosis patients and creating more awareness on the predisposing factors of tuberculosis will help towards preventing, reducing and eliminating the disease.