During the course of the HIV epidemic in Chiang Rai Province in Northern Thailand, incidence of tuberculosis also sharply increased. Up to the year 2002, there were no specific interventions for the prevention and control of TB infection among the household contacts of an infected person. The study aimed to identify prevalence of HIV infection and risk factors of tuberculosis infection among household contacts. | JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, Hue University, N0 61, 2010 PREVALENCE OF HIV INFECTION AND RISK FACTORS OF TUBERCULIN INFECTION AMONG HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS IN AN HIV EPIDEMIC AREA: CHIANG RAI PROVINCE, THAILAND Pornnapa Suggaravetsiri Khon Kaen University, Thailand Juthatip Putthasorn Chiang Rai Prachanukraow Hospital, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand SUMMARY During the course of the HIV epidemic in Chiang Rai Province in Northern Thailand, incidence of tuberculosis also sharply increased. Up to the year 2002, there were no specific interventions for the prevention and control of TB infection among the household contacts of an infected person. The study aimed to identify prevalence of HIV infection and risk factors of tuberculosis infection among household contacts. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among household contacts of TB cases between January 2001 and January 2002. We collected data using structured interviews, physical examinations, tuberculin skin test (TST), mumps skin test and pre-test and post-test counseling for HIV testing. Results: The prevalence of positive tuberculin skin test among 1,211 household contacts was and the HIV positive rate among household contacts was (72 out of 930 contacts who did agree to HIV testing). Based on the variables entered into the model, gender, age, HIV status, caregivers of TB patients and living in the same room as the infected patient were significantly related to TB infection. However, the presence of a BCG scar was not significantly associated with TB infection. Conclusion: TB screening every 6 months should be provided to household members and children who had contacts with HIV positive individuals and the introduction of anti TB prophylaxis should be provided to HIV infected persons. Keywords: Tuberculosis, Households, Risk factors, HIV, Thailand 1. Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) and Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) are currently the major leading causes of death worldwide among .
