Abstract

Among the over 33 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS, one-third also contracted tuberculosis, making it a
significant co-infection. Tuberculosis emerged as the primary cause of illness and death within the HIV/AIDS
community, responsible for approximately 30% of all fatalities among those affected. While curable when accurately
diagnosed and promptly treated, addressing tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS patients required special attention due to
the intricacies involved in diagnosing and treating both conditions concurrently. Employing a quantitative crosssectional
design, the study aimed to ascertain PTB prevalence and its socio-demographic and behavioral
determinants among HIV/AIDS patients attending the ART clinic. Eighty-seven participants were selected via
simple random sampling, with questionnaires serving as the primary data collection tool. The findings revealed a
significant association between age over 45 years and the occurrence of pulmonary TB, with an odds ratio of 0.71
(0.45–3.77) and a p-value of 0.035. Additionally, male gender exhibited a notable association with PTB among HIV
patients, with an odds ratio of 0.48 (0.15-8.14) and a p-value of 0.001. Furthermore, the study indicated a correlation
between PTB occurrence and HIV patients, with an odds ratio of 0.35 (0.001-3.79) and a p-value of 0.024. The
study's conclusion highlighted that approximately 18.4% of HIV-positive patients had experienced pulmonary
tuberculosis. Recommendations included promoting good adherence to ART and TB prophylaxis among HIV
patients to bolster immunity against TB. Encouraging HIV patients to steer clear of behaviors that heighten TB
risk, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, was also advised. Additionally, the government was urged
to enhance support and supplies for individuals living with HIV and tuberculosis, aiming to prevent disease
progression through tertiary interventions.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS patients; Tuberculosis; PTB among HIV patients, Smoking and alcohol drinking, ART
clinic.