This may be attributed to the fact that previous study was carried out in children. Previous report has shown that collection and processing of specimen for TB diagnosis in children is often problematic and prone to contamination especially in endemic settings with limited human and infrastructural facilities16. Also, recent trainings in Good Laboratory Practice by the laboratory scientists may account for their subsequent improvement in processing clinical specimens. Almost all (eight of the nine) positive AFB samples were from the age bracket 20-60 yr. This is worrisome as this age group constitutes the economic vibrant group of the population. TB infection affecting the vibrant work force may further aggravate shortage of HCWs which may.
