Prevalence of Tuberculosis Infection and its Effect in the Lung Volumes and Capacities of the Subjects in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.

Mycobacterium are widely distributed throughout the world, and only a few species are pathogenic to man and other mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish (Cruikshank, 1976). Prevalence of tuberculosis infection and its effect in the lung volumes and capacities in the subjects was studied using those infected with the pathogenic species (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Eight (8) months intensive research was carried out by screening 458 subjects at Ihiala L.G.A to study tuberculosis infection, effect in the lung volumes and capacities and its prevalence in that region, 25 infected subjects (m: 15 and f: 10) out of the 458 screened subjects between the age range of 15-80 years were used for the study which was carried out from January-August 2015. The result of the study showed that the rate of infection in the subjects at Ihiala L.G.A was low. The occurrence in the male subjects (51.2%) was more than in their female counterparts (48.8%). Also the infection was noticed to be occurring most in the age range of 20-70 years in both males and females. The lung volumes and capacities measured with spirometer were observed to be decreased in the 25 tuberculosis infected subjects. The tuberculosis infection could be attributed to exposing oneself with infected persons unknowingly as a result of active life struggle over the years.