Factors associated with the infection among tuberculosis and COVID-19 patients at Nakornping Hospital, Chiangmai Province

Abstract

This research was a retrospective cohort research aimed at investigating the prevalence and factors associated with co-infection of tuberculosis and COVID-19 in tuberculosis patients registered for treatment at Nakornping Hospital in Chiang Mai. The study population consisted of tuberculosis patients who were registered for treatment at the hospital from January 2024 to September 2025, totaling 388 individuals. Data collection involved extracting patient demographic information and co-infection status from the Thai National Tuberculosis Data Reporting System and COVID-19 patient information from the Epid-CM Dashboard. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors related to the co-infection of tuberculosis and COVID-19.

Results: The research found that out of the 388 tuberculosis patients, 258 (66.5%) were male, and 130 (33.5%) were female, with an average age of 49.24±17.95 years. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 281 patients (72.4%), while extrapulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 107 patients (27.6%). Co-infection with tuberculosis and COVID-19 was observed in 16 cases (4.12%). Factors significantly associated with co-infection included the type of treatment coverage and patient registration status. Patients covered by social security (Adjusted Odds Ratio 5.17, 95% CI: 1.15-23.38) or government/civil servant healthcare schemes (Adjusted Odds Ratio 6.81, 95% CI: 1.20-38.53) were more likely to be co-infected compared to those with comprehensive health coverage. Additionally, patients who had previously registered as return or retreatment cases after treatment interruption due to medication non-adherence (Adjusted Odds Ratio 7.24, 95% CI: 1.69-30.97) were significantly more prone to co-infection compared to new cases.

Conclusion: Emphasizing knowledge dissemination and self-care guidelines for patients covered by social security, government/civil servant healthcare schemes, and those returning for retreatment after medication interruption may contribute to preventing co-infection of tuberculosis and COVID-19.