ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis is one of the most serious health problems in developing countries, causing almost 7% of all deaths in 1990. Tuberculosis may contribute significantly to protein malnutrition, especially in those with borderline nutritional status due to increased protein catabolism in the disease. The natural history of untreated tuberculosis is shown by an Indian study where over 40,000 people were screened for tuberculosis four times over 5 years without any treatment. Diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis may be suggested by chest x-ray, but active disease anywhere can only be proven by demonstrating acid-fast bacilli from sputum, body fluids, or tissues on stain or culture. The most reliable way to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis infection in Ethiopia is by tuberculin testing of the non- Bacillus Calmette Guerrin vaccinated population. Primary health workers have a great role in tuberculosis control: educating, taking histories, obtaining sputum, sending cultures, tracing defaulters, and many other functions.
