Abstract:
Background. Ethiopian universities are facilities where students live in relative overcrowding condition. This might favor the chance
of tuberculosis transmission among students.This study was done to determine the magnitude and associated factors of tuberculosis
among Jimma University students. Methods. A cross-sectional study was done from February 2015 to July 2015. Hundred twentynine consented participants were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Biological specimens were collected and cultured on
Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex verification was done by SD BIOLINE TB Ag MPT64
Rapid test. Frequency distribution, logistic regression, and independent sample 𝑡-test were used to analyze the data using SPSS
Version 20. Result. Magnitude of all forms of tuberculosis among Jimma University undergraduate students was 209.1 per 100000-
student population. Contact history [AOR: 4.76, 95% CI (1.31–17.31)], smoking [AOR: 6.67, 95% CI (1.51–29.44)], khat chewing
[AOR: 5.56, 95% CI (1.66–18.69)], and low body mass index [AOR: 5.37, 95% CI (1.46–19.78)] were determinants of tuberculosis.
Conclusion. The magnitude of tuberculosis among Jimma University undergraduate students is high. TB is associated with previous
tuberculosis patient contact and behavioral factors. Hence, students with these risk factors should be given enough attention for
the control of TB in Jimma University.
