Prevalence of Tuberculosis among Mentally Ill Patients in Conflict-Stricken Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Prevalence of Tuberculosis among Mentally Ill Patients in Conflict-Stricken Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
By: Ghulam Qader, Mohammad Khaled Seddiq, Mohammad Khkerah Rashidi, Azizullah Hamim, M.H. Akhgar, B. Ahmad, Sean Dryer, Aleefia Somji, Muluken Melese, Pedro G.Suarez
Publication: International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 23 August 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2019.08.020
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) and mental illness share underlying factors such as poverty, malnutrition, and stress. This study’s objective was to determine the prevalence of TB among mentally ill patients in Afghanistan.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in five public and one private health facility. All patients in those centers were screened for TB, and the diagnosis of TB was made with GeneXpert or made clinically by a physician.
The study found that TB among mentally ill patients is very high, and recommended that TB care and prevention services be integrated into mental health centers.