ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health issue in Nigeria. The TB bacilli primarily attacks the lungs, giving rise to clinical manifestations like cough lasting for ≥ 2 weeks, sputum that may be blood stained, chest pain, fever, weight loss, among others. This study assessed the pattern of clinical presentations of adult presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients in NAUTH Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 180 adult presumptive PTB patients aged ≥ 18 years who presented to TB centre, NAUTH Nnewi, between June and September 2024. A semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic and clinical data, while sputum samples were examined using Gene X pert assay. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Majority of the respondents (52.8%) were males. The mean age was 40.46 ± 15.72 years. Majority of the respondents had cough > 2 weeks (82.2%), followed by unexplained fever > 1 week (61.7%), recent unexplained weight loss (60.6%), excessive night sweats (46.7%), other symptoms (chest- pain, shortness of breath, etc) (31.1%), and sputum mixed with blood (22.2%). The respondents had TB clinical manifestations like cough > 2 weeks, unexplained fever > 1 week, recent unexplained weight loss, excessive night sweats, other symptoms like chest-pain, shortness of breath, etc, and sputum mixed with blood. Through active case finding for presumptive PTB patients, the healthcare providers at the facility and community levels should identify early those with signs and symptoms of TB for immediate referral for diagnosis and prompt treatment.
Key words: Adult, Clinical presentation, Presumptive Tuberculosis, Pulmonary Tuberculosis 36
How to cite: Uchenna NI, Boniface OE, Akpuaka F, Chukwudi OO, Obiageli FE, Chijioke AE, Chinelo CN. Pattern of Clinical Presentation of Adult Presumptive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Global Professionals Multidisciplinary Practices Journal. 2025, 2(1):34-52
