Kovit Yongvanitjit2011-02-222011-02-222010-01-132010-01-13Vajira Medical Journal; Vol. 51 No. 2 May - August 2007; 95-101http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/133176Abstract Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Heroin Addicts in Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Narcotic Clinics Kovit           Yongvanitjit         MD Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Division, Health Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Objective: To determine the epidemiological characteristics, the rate of pulmonary TB, HIV prevalence and factors associated with pulmonary TB among heroin addicts. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: A total of 622 heroin addicts attending narcotic clinics of Health Department, BMA during October 2005 to March 2006 were enrolled. Method: Data from all records of heroin addicts at 18 narcotic clinics of Health Department, BMA were collected and analyzed. Main outcome measure: Numbers and morbidity rate of pulmonary TB and HIV prevalence among heroin addicts. HIV prevalence among heroin addicts with pulmonary TB. Result: There were 564 males (90.7%) and 58 females (9.3%). The average age was 34.7 ± 8.6 year. (15-67 year). According to the diagnosis of pulmonary TB, 507 from 622 clients (81.5%) received chest x-ray, 19 from 507 clients (3.8%) were diagnosed of pulmonary TB and 8 from 507 clients (1.58%) had positive for AFB. For HIV study, 477 clients (76.7%) received HIV voluntary counseling and testing and 196 (41.1%) were HIV positive. From 19 heroin addicts with pulmonary TB, 13 clients (76.5%) were HIV + ve. HIV infection was significantly associated with pulmonary TB among heroin addicts (p-value \< 0.05). Age, marital status, education, career, treatment history, period of heroin usage and past history of treatment were not associated with pulmonary TB. Conclusion: High pulmonary TB rate was found among heroin addicts in Bangkok. The crude pulmonary TB rate and pulmonary TB with positive AFB were 3.8% (all type) and 1.6%. HIV infection was the only significant risk factor for pulmonary TB in this study. Vajira Med J 2007 ; 51 : 95 - 101en-USFaculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital, University of Bangkok Metropolis, Bangkok, ThailandOriginal Articles