PREVALENCE OF SMEAR POSITIVE TUBERCULOSIS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE, NORTWEST ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Background Little is known about the burden of TB and associated factors among pregnant women in resource poor settings. Objective: To assess the prevalence of smear positive tuberculosis and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care service. Method: This study employed institution based cross-sectional study in Northwest Ethiopia. All pregnant women in North Gondar Zone were used as a source population. Sample was estimated using Open-Epi soft ware and all hospitals in North Gondar Zone were included in the study. Data were collected by using interview administered questionnaire and three sputum (spot-morning-spot) samples were collected from those pregnant women who had cough. Sputum smear was done by using Light Emitted Diode Florescent Microscope. Data were entered using Epinfo version 3.5 statistical software. The statistical Package for the Social science/SPSS Version 20.0 was also employed for descriptive and logistic regression analysis. Result: A total of 1272 pregnant women were screened for TB. The prevalence of smear-positive TB was 864/100,000 pregnant women (95% CI: 402-1122). Higher rates of smear-positivity were observed among HIV positive [AOR= 7.24; 95% CI: (2.01-26.03)], rural residents [AOR=5.55; 95% CI: (1.398-22.068)] and family history of TB [AOR=55.78; 95% CI: (12.373-251.536)] Conclusion This study revealed higher rates of smear-positive TB. Being HIV positive, rural residence, and family history of tuberculosis were identified as possible associated risk factors of smear-positive tuberculosis. Strengthening the existing health education about transmission, screening of pregnant women who had cough for two weeks or more, and strengthening collaboration of TB and HIV with antenatal care clinics were recommended.