Seroprevalence of HIV Among Tuberculosis Patients Attending Chest Clinic at Gombe State University Teaching Hospital

The co-occurrence of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) represents a deadly syndemic that significantly worsens treatment outcomes and mortality in resource-limited settings. This retrospective descriptive study determined the seroprevalence of HIV among TB patients attending the chest clinic at Gombe State University Teaching Hospital, Gombe State, in the North East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Patient records from 2020 to 2023 covering 850 confirmed TB cases were reviewed. HIV status was determined by serial rapid testing using two approved HIV test kits per national guidelines. Demographic and clinical data were extracted using a structured proforma. The overall HIV-TB co-infection rate was 22.4 percent. Female patients had a modestly higher co-infection rate than male patients. Patients aged 25 to 44 years represented the majority of co-infected cases. Sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB was the predominant TB form among co-infected patients. Treatment outcomes were significantly poorer in the co-infected group, with higher rates of treatment failure and death. These findings underscore the need for universal HIV testing in all newly diagnosed TB patients, prompt antiretroviral therapy initiation, and integrated TB-HIV management services at Gombe State University Teaching Hospital. Strengthened health system coordination between infectious disease units is recommended. Keywords: HIV-TB co-infection, seroprevalence, Gombe, tuberculosis, treatment outcomes.