Assessment of the impact of the HIV epidemic on the incidence of tuberculosis in Trinidad and Tobago

ABSTRACT

We reviewed and assessed 987 reported cases of tuberculosis (TB) from 1990 to 1996. There were 602 (70 percent) males 263 (30 percent) females. The number of cases reported annually rose from 118 to 199 (81 percent) from 1990 to 1996. East Indians comprised 335 (34 percent) and Africans 503 (52 percent) of all cases. 122 of these patients (12.4 percent) were positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, of these, Africans made up 80 percent, (98/122) as compared to only 11 percent (13/122) who were of East Indian origin. Paediatric cases of TB rose by 600 percent from 4 cases in 1990 to 28 cases in 1996. Of a total of 74 paediatric cases 6 (8 percent) were HIV/TB was the 25-45 years group and of those with HIV/TB, 36 percent dies within 6-8 months of being diagnosed. This HIV/TB co-infection will cause a tremendous waste of youthful lives if strategies are not put in place to combat these epidemics.(AU)