Tuberculosis in Ethiopia

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among key and vulnerable populations (KVPs) in Ethiopian hotspot settings. Following PRISMA guidelines, researchers conducted comprehensive searches in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and institutional repositories. Eligible studies were those conducted in hotspot environments like prisons, refugee camps, universities, healthcare facilities, spiritual holy water sites, and shelters, using accepted PTB diagnostic methods and meeting language and quality criteria. Studies outside Ethiopia, non-English articles, and those lacking sufficient data or focused only on extrapulmonary TB or drug resistance were excluded.[1]

In total, 34 studies involving 32,909 participants met the inclusion criteria, with 2,044 confirmed PTB cases. The pooled PTB prevalence was 11.7% (95% CI: 7.97–15.43%), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 99.91%, p < 0.001) and publication bias detected via Egger’s test (p < 0.00001). However, the trim-and-fill method indicated no change in the prevalence estimate. Subgroup analysis showed notable variation in PTB burden: refugees had the highest prevalence at 28.4%, followed by university students (23.1%), spiritual sites (12.3%), healthcare settings (11.1%), prisons (8.8%), homeless individuals (5.8%), and other hotspot areas (4.3%).[1]

The findings indicate that PTB prevalence among KVPs in Ethiopian hotspot settings is significantly higher than in the general population. Despite a slight decline in PTB rates from 2000 to 2023, certain groups remain disproportionately affected. These results call for urgent national TB control measures, including routine screening, mandatory testing for symptomatic individuals, and stricter infection prevention strategies in high-risk environments.[1]

References:

1. Reta, M.A., Asmare, Z., Sisay, A., Gashaw, Y., Getachew, E., Gashaw, M., Dejazmach, Z., Jemal, A., Gedfie, S., Kumie, G. and Nigatie, M., 2024. Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among key and vulnerable populations in hotspot settings of Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Plos one, 19(8), p.e0309445.