Pulmonary tuberculosis remains a major global health problem and is particularly prevalent in developing countries, where it continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Iraq carries a high burden of tuberculosis, with incidence expected to rise due to factors such as inadequate control programs, poverty, population growth, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among suspected patients referred to the Chest and Respiratory Disease Consultation Clinic (CRDCC) in Basrah, to assess the most frequent referral sites, their diagnostic yield, and to describe the main characteristics of referred patients. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2014, including 492 patients referred to the CRDCC. Data were collected through structured interviews and review of laboratory investigations. The results showed that the majority of patients were female (52.4%), married, urban residents, with a mean age of 40.9 years. Most were unskilled workers with low education levels, and passive tobacco smoke exposure was common. Private clinics accounted for over one-third of referrals, but most cases were ultimately negative for tuberculosis (88.2%). Only 11.8% were diagnosed with active tuberculosis, of which 7.5% were new and 4.3% relapse cases. The majority of referrals (88.4%) were based on symptoms, with multiple symptoms being more common than single complaints. Diagnosis was most frequently confirmed by a combination of two tests (75.9%), which also excluded tuberculosis in most negative cases (79.5%). The findings highlight the need for improved awareness among healthcare providers and the public, as well as targeted screening programs for high-risk groups, supported by broader national studies.

Index Terms: Pulmonary tuberculosis, Basrah, referral sites, prevalence, risk factors, diagnostic methods