International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading infectious diseases worldwide, causing substantial morbidity and mortality despite the availability of prevention and treatment strategies. Namibia is a high TB-burden country, with an estimated TB incidence of approximately 450 cases per 100,000 populations and about 12,000 new cases reported annually. Understanding the sociodemographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors among newly diagnosed TB patients is essential for informing targeted public health interventions and strengthening tuberculosis prevention and control efforts
Objective: To analyse the sociodemographic, lifestyle, environmental, and clinical factors among newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients attending three selected public health facilities in Windhoek, Namibia. Methodology: A quantitative analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 111 newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients attending three selected public health facilities in Windhoek, Namibia. Participants were recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 30, employing descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Most participants were male (67.6%) and within the economically productive age group. Approximately 91.0% lived in one- or two-room houses, reflecting overcrowded living conditions, while 48.6% reported poor household ventilation. Significant associations were observed between age group and smoking (p = 0.028), gender and smoking (p < 0.001), age group and alcohol consumption (p = 0.001), and BCG vaccination status and type of tuberculosis (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients in Windhoek commonly exhibited adverse sociodemographic, lifestyle, and environmental characteristics, including overcrowded living conditions, poor household ventilation, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive tuberculosis control strategies that integrate behavioural interventions, household infection prevention measures, and socioeconomic support to improve patient care and strengthen tuberculosis control programme. Key
Unique Contribution: This study is one of the first in Namibia in assessing the risk factors associated with newly diagnosed tuberculosis cases.
Key Recommendation: Tuberculosis control programmes should adopt integrated approaches that address behavioural risk factors, improve household environmental conditions, strengthen infection prevention practices, and provide appropriate socioeconomic support for newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients.