Determinants of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in Patients Who Underwent First-line Treatment in Addis Ababa: A Case Control Study

Journal Articles
, Tuberculosis

Determinants of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in Patients Who Underwent First-line Treatment in Addis Ababa: A Case Control Study

By: Selamawit Hirpa, Girmay Medhin, Belaineh Girma, Muluken Melese, Alemayehu Mekonen, Pedro Suarez, Gobena Ameni
Publication: BMC Public Health28 Aug. 2013;13(1): 782.

 

Background

Worldwide, there were 650,000 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases in 2010, and in 2008 the World Health Organization estimated that 150,000 deaths occurred annually due to MDR-TB. Ethiopia is 15th among the 27 MDR-TB high-burden countries. This study identifies factors associated with the occurrence of MDR-TB in patients who underwent first-line TB treatment in Addis Ababa City.

 

Methods

A case control study was conducted at St. Peter Hospital and five health centers in Addis Ababa from 1 November 2011 to February 30, 2012. Cases were MDR-TB patients who were confirmed with culture and drug-susceptibility testing and were in treatment at St. Peter Hospital during the study period. Controls were patients who were on first-line anti-TB treatment and were registered as cured or having completed treatment in the period 9 April 2009– 28 February 2010, in five health centers of Addis Ababa City. Accordingly, 134 cases and an equal number of controls were included in this study. A structured interview questionnaire was used to assess factors that could potentially be associated with the occurrence of MDR-TB.

 

Results

Factors that were significantly associated with MDR-TB: drug side effects during first-line treatment (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 4.5, 95% CI; 1.9 – 10.5); treatment not directly observed by a health worker(AOR = 11.7, 95% CI; 4–34.3); interruption of treatment of at least a day(AOR = 13.1, 95% CI 3.0-56.6); duration of treatment between 2 and 7 months(AOR = 14.8, 95% CI 2.3-96.4); and retreatment with the Category II regimen(P = 0.000). In the current study, HIV infection was not significantly associated with the occurrence of MDR-TB.

 

Conclusions

Patients who were not in strict DOTS programs and did not adhere to first-line TB treatment and patients who experienced side effects during first-line treatment and Category II retreatment were at significantly increased risk of developing MDR-TB. The DOTS program should, therefore, be strengthened to increase patient adherence. Drug-susceptibility testing is also highly recommended for all Category I treatment regimen failures before those patients begin the Category II regimen.