Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100412603320
?Nigeria records 120,000 new TB cases annually?
By Agency Reporter, Published: Monday, 12 Apr 2010
A medical expert, Dr. Busayo Agbana, on Friday disclosed that Nigeria records about 120,000 new cases of tuberculosis every year, being the highest in Africa.
Agbana also revealed that the country ranks 4th on the prevalence rate, with a 536 persons infected among 100,000.
Agbana, who works at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, made these revelations at the World TB day 2010, organised by the Excellence Foundation International in Ilorin.
He noted that increase in the growth rate of the disease rose from 2.2 per cent in the early 90s to over 19.1 per cent currently.
The medical doctor, while underscoring the relationship between the ailment and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, noted that over 1.45 million person had died of HIV, which has been complicated by the presence of tuberculosis.
On the major predisposing factors, he listed overcrowding, poverty, injection with infected needles and indiscriminate release of sputum. He listed other major factors as malnutrition, illiteracy, alcoholism and a low quality of life.
He, however, said there was still hope as over 90 per cent of the infection can be treated within 48 hours, with anti-microbial treatment.
He called for effective surveillance of the disease and an increase in the number of disease control officers.
?Nigeria records 120,000 new TB cases annually?
By Agency Reporter, Published: Monday, 12 Apr 2010
A medical expert, Dr. Busayo Agbana, on Friday disclosed that Nigeria records about 120,000 new cases of tuberculosis every year, being the highest in Africa.
Agbana also revealed that the country ranks 4th on the prevalence rate, with a 536 persons infected among 100,000.
Agbana, who works at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, made these revelations at the World TB day 2010, organised by the Excellence Foundation International in Ilorin.
He noted that increase in the growth rate of the disease rose from 2.2 per cent in the early 90s to over 19.1 per cent currently.
The medical doctor, while underscoring the relationship between the ailment and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, noted that over 1.45 million person had died of HIV, which has been complicated by the presence of tuberculosis.
On the major predisposing factors, he listed overcrowding, poverty, injection with infected needles and indiscriminate release of sputum. He listed other major factors as malnutrition, illiteracy, alcoholism and a low quality of life.
He, however, said there was still hope as over 90 per cent of the infection can be treated within 48 hours, with anti-microbial treatment.
He called for effective surveillance of the disease and an increase in the number of disease control officers.