Examining the Influence of Displaced Populations on Tuberculosis Transmission: A Benue State Case Study

Abstract

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge, particularly among displaced populations. These environments foster TB transmission due to overcrowding, poor living conditions, and inadequate healthcare access

ObjectivesTo compare the proportion of tuberculosis (TB) cases detected through screening among displaced populations residing in internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugee settings with that among the general population in Benue State, Nigeria.

DesignQuantitative observational study comparing TB screening and diagnostic findings across displaced and general populations.

SettingIDP camps, refugee settings and general-community screening locations in Benue State, Nigeria.

ParticipantsA total of 1,938 individuals were screened: 1,143 in displaced settings and 795 in the general population. Participants were assessed for presumptive TB and underwent the applicable diagnostic evaluation.

Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the proportion of screened individuals diagnosed with TB in displaced settings compared with the general population. Secondary outcomes were the numbers of presumptive TB cases and TB diagnoses classified as bacteriologically confirmed.

ResultsAmong the 1,143 individuals screened in displaced settings, 128 presumptive TB cases were identified, with 46 confirmed cases (26 bacteriologically and 20 clinically). In contrast, only 3 TB cases (2 bacteriologically and 1 clinically) were detected among 795 individuals in the general population. The TB prevalence rate in displaced populations was 4.0%, significantly higher than the 0.4% observed in the general population.

ConclusionsThe study confirms a heightened TB burden in displaced communities, emphasizing the need for enhanced screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

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Cite

BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@misc{bassey2026examining,
  title = {{Examining the Influence of Displaced Populations on Tuberculosis Transmission: A Benue State Case Study}},
  author = {U. I. Bassey and T. Fawole and N. Thompson and B. Odume and O. Chukwuogo and E. Chukwu and N. Ntamu and C. Abagwalatu},
  howpublished = {medRxiv},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.64898/2026.10.20.26365996},
  url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.20.26365996v1},
  note = {CC BY-NC},
}

RIS

TY  - UNPB
TI  - Examining the Influence of Displaced Populations on Tuberculosis Transmission: A Benue State Case Study
AU  - U. I. Bassey
AU  - T. Fawole
AU  - N. Thompson
AU  - B. Odume
AU  - O. Chukwuogo
AU  - E. Chukwu
AU  - N. Ntamu
AU  - C. Abagwalatu
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/20
PB  - medRxiv
DO  - 10.64898/2026.10.20.26365996
UR  - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.20.26365996v1
AB  - BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge, particularly among displaced populations. These environments foster TB transmission due to overcrowding, poor living conditions, and inadequate healthcare access  ObjectivesTo compare the proportion of tuberculosis (TB) cases detected through screening among displaced populations residing in internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugee settings with that among the general population in Benue State, Nigeria.  DesignQuantitative observational study comparing TB screening and diagnostic findings across displaced and general populations.  SettingIDP camps, refugee settings and general-community screening locations in Benue State, Nigeria.  ParticipantsA total of 1,938 individuals were screened: 1,143 in displaced settings and 795 in the general population. Participants were assessed for presumptive TB and underwent the applicable diagnostic evaluation.  Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the proportion of screened individuals diagnosed with TB in displaced settings compared with the general population. Secondary outcomes were the numbers of presumptive TB cases and TB diagnoses classified as bacteriologically confirmed.  ResultsAmong the 1,143 individuals screened in displaced settings, 128 presumptive TB cases were identified, with 46 confirmed cases (26 bacteriologically and 20 clinically). In contrast, only 3 TB cases (2 bacteriologically and 1 clinically) were detected among 795 individuals in the general population. The TB prevalence rate in displaced populations was 4.0%, significantly higher than the 0.4% observed in the general population.  ConclusionsThe study confirms a heightened TB burden in displaced communities, emphasizing the need for enhanced screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.
ER  -

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