Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Dutsin-Ma, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study among Healthy and High-Risk Groups

Background and Objective: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a common condition affecting a substantial number of people globally. Individuals with LTBI have a 5-10% chance of progressing to active tuberculosis (TB) disease if left untreated. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of LTBI in healthy and immunocompromised patients in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were randomly collected from 170 participants across three healthcare facilities and screened for anti-TB antibodies using the Rapid Tuberculosis Test Card^™. The sociodemographic data of the participants were analyzed for risk factors using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to investigate associations between variables. Results: Findings showed that 12.94% (22/170) of the participants tested were serologically positive for anti-TB antibodies. While several risk factors for LTBI were identified, statistical analysis did not establish significant associations between these factors and LTBI at a 95% confidence level (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate the prevalence of LTBI in Dutsin-Ma. This is crucial for reducing the global burden of LTBI and active TB, especially in resource-constrained settings.