Presence of tuberculosis symptoms among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Zimbabwe

AIDS Res Ther. 2024 Mar 28;21(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s12981-024-00605-8.

Abstract

We conducted secondary data analysis using a biobehavioral survey dataset of 1538 MSM from Zimbabwe. Survey participants were screened for the four symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis infection using the WHO TB screening algorithm. Results: All participants experienced at least one symptom suggestive of tuberculosis. 40% of HIV-positive MSM reported having had a cough in the last month and 13% of them experienced unexpected weight loss. The prevalence of experiencing any of the four TB symptoms amongst HIV-positive MSM was 23%. Contribution There is an urgent need for active TB case finding and treatment amongst HIV-positive MSM in Zimbabwe. Clinicians will need to ensure that MSM who need TB testing receive it timeously.

Keywords: Case finding; HIV; MSM; Tuberculosis symptoms.

MeSH terms

  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • HIV Seropositivity* / complications
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Tuberculosis* / complications
  • Tuberculosis* / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis* / epidemiology
  • Zimbabwe / epidemiology