1(PhD) Researcher- Global Health Governance, Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Buraimi, Al Buraimi, Oman
2Associate Professor, Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Online published on 16 May, 2013.
A cross sectional study was carried out to assess prevalence of tuberculosis among migrant worker in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.
Retrospective study based on the secondary data pertaining to the patients registered in hospital from Jan 2005 to December 2009. A total of 165 migrant form neighboring countries were included.
The majority of subjects (72, 44%) were from Indonesia, India with (38, 21%) cases followed by Nepal (12, 7%). Out of 165 patients, 95 (58%) were female compared to 70 (42%) males with housemaid being the highest (45.5%) with regard to occupational category. Majority of the cases were of middle age and low socio economic status. Fever, loss of appetite, loss of weight, and cough were the chief clinical presentations. Among the total cases, 9 cases (6%) were suffering from Diabetes.
Prevalence of TB among migrant is relatively high. Preventive measures for early diagnosis should be performed especially in migrant worker from high-prevalence countries.
Prevalence, Tuberculosis, Migrant, Buraidah, Cross Sectional Study
