Assessing the Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Healthy and Immunocompromised Individuals in Dutsin-Ma Metropolis, Katsina State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) is a widespread condition affecting a significant portion of the global population. People with LTBI have a 5-10% chance of developing active Tuberculosis (TB) during their lifetime. However, there is a shortage of data on the prevalence of LTBI in healthy and immunocompromised individuals in the Dutsin-Ma metropolis. Identifying and treating LTBI is crucial for reducing the burden of TB globally. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of LTBI in healthy and immunocompromised patients in the Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. 170 blood samples were randomly collected from participants across three (3) healthcare facilities in Dutsin-Ma in September 2023 and screened for anti-TB antibodies using the Rapid Tuberculosis Test Card™ (RTTC); 50 were healthy participants, 65 were pregnant women, 30 were HIV-positive patients, and 25 were diabetic patients. The sociodemographic data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square to test for association. Among the 170 participants tested, 12.94 % (22/170) were serologically positive for anti-TB antibodies. Several risk factors associated with LTBI were identified. However, statistically, there was not enough evidence to conclude that any of the risk factors are significantly associated with the prevalence of LTBI at 95% CI and a P-value of ≤ 0.05 in this survey. The study highlights the need for routine screening and treatment of LTBI in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals in the study locality. This is vital in reducing the global burden of LTBI and active TB infections.