Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and associated factors among suspected tuberculosis patients attending Halaba Kulito General Hospital, Ethiopia: cross-sectional study

Pulmonary tuberculosis remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide from a single infectious agent. This is more pronounced in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia, where HIV co-infection is more common. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and its associated factors among suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients attending Halaba Kulito General Hospital. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 27 to December 27, 2025, at Halaba Kulito General Hospital. Sputum samples were collected and analyzed using GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay following standard operating procedures. Descriptive statistics, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis, with statistical significance set at a p -value < 0.05 at a 95% confidence level. The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the study participants was 8.0% (13/163; 95% CI 4.3–13.3%). HIV seropositivity (AOR = 6.683, 95% CI = 1.286–34.727) and alcohol consumption (AOR = 3.773, 95% CI = 1.047–13.593) were independently associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. This study found a non-negligible prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the study population. HIV seropositivity and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. These findings support the need for integrated tuberculosis and HIV services and consideration of alcohol-use assessment within tuberculosis screening and prevention activities.