Tuberculosis (TB) is still a big problem for public health
around the world, especially in developing countries. In Namibia, the incidence
of TB is notably high and is often exacerbated by malnutrition and other
socio-economic factors. Namibia is ranked 10th highest in the world, due to the
incidence rate of 457 per 1000 population; with a population of about 3
million, it shared a percentage of the global TB burden. The aim of the study
was to evaluate the importance of nutritional status and risk factors militating
against the health and well-being of newly diagnosed TB patients in Windhoek,
Namibia. This study was designed as a cross-sectional study, and
non-probability, convenience sampling techniques were used. The study adopted a
dynamic uncontrolled process, assessing the nutritional intake of TB patients
and not testing an intervention. A total of 111 newly diagnosed TB patients
participated in the study. A questionnaire-based survey was used to collect
demographic information such as age, gender, education level, marital status,
employment status, type of occupation, and household income level, as well as
behavioural variables such as smoking habits and alcohol consumption. To get
the Body Mass Index (BMI) of participants, height and weight were measured at
Direct Observed Treatment (DOT) clinics. The BMI was measured and taken during
the last four months of the treatment regime, taking measurements once a month
as the participants were coming back for follow-up treatment. BMI evaluated
their nutritional status. Males formed a significant majority, representing
67.6%, and females represented 32.4%. The study revealed that 38.7% of patients
were malnourished. Malnutrition was more common in males than in females (27%).
The result shows a significant association with age group (0.018), marital
status (0), educational status (0.0252), and employment status (0.0106) with
nutritional status. The data analysis and findings from this study highlight
significant insights into the socio-economic and nutritional challenges faced
by tuberculosis (TB) patients in Windhoek, Namibia. Moreover, the analysis
identifies a strong correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and TB status,
emphasising that lower BMI is associated with higher TB risk. Factors such as
monthly income emerged as significant predictors of nutritional status,
suggesting that economic stability was crucial for improving health outcomes
among TB patients.
Author(s) Details
M Musuuo
Preventative Health Science Department, Namibia University of Science and
Technology, Private Bag 13388, Windhoek, Namibia.
O Awofolu
Preventative Health Science Department, Namibia University of Science and
Technology, Private Bag 13388, Windhoek, Namibia.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/aodhr/v7/6582
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