Tuberculosis (TB) is a common and severe
opportunistic infection associated with HIV infection.
In Swaziland, TB is the number one contributor to
deaths among persons living with HIV and AIDS
(PLWHA).
n The increasing number of cases of TB associated
with HIV infection in Swaziland has greatly increased
the demands on TB and HIV treatment programs.
Swaziland has an estimated TB incidence of 1,155
cases per 100,000 population per year (nearly a sixfold
increase compared to a 1990 level of 267), while
the incidence of infectious sputum smear positive
cases tripled within the same period. Similarly,
TB mortality has increased from 76 per 100,000
population in 1990 to 278 deaths per 100,000
population in 2006.
n The known prevalence of HIV among the TB
patients in Swaziland is 79.6%. Because HIV infection
increases an individual’s susceptibility to tuberculosis
infection and to latent TB reactivation, the high
number of HIV cases at community level leads to
increased transmission of tuberculosis. Patients dually
infected with TB and HIV thus need to be identified
quickly and treated.