Pattern of intensive phase treatment outcomes of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in University of Port Harcourt Treatment Centre

ABSTRACT

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Background: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is currently a global menace and poses significant risk to persons living in Sub-Saharan Africa. It occurs largely from failure of conventional treatment of tuberculosis. Its emergence further threatens TB control and prevention.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the pattern of intensive-phase treatment outcomes among hospitalized MDR-TB patients in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) treatment centre in Rivers State, South-South Nigeria. 

Methodology: This study was a retrospective review of records of patients with MDR-TB admitted from March 2014 till 2016. Data on patients’ age, sex, HIV status, treatment outcomes were extracted from the hospital book records into a computer data sheet at the UPTH treatment centre. Chi square and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed as appropriate with statistical significance level at 0.05.

Results: The study had a total of 107 MDR-TB patients’ records comprising 57 males (53.3%) and 50 females (46.7%). The mean age was 35.97±11.81 years. Thirty-eight percent of the female patients and 25.5% of the male patients were HIV positive. Pattern of treatment outcomes at the end of the intensive phase treatment showed that 76% of the MDR-TB patients were cured, 3% were lost to follow-up, 3% had treatment failure, and 15% died. 

Conclusion: There is a need to further strengthen multi-drug resistant management in the face of its emergence and global epidemic through collaboration with international and non-governmental agencies.

Key words: MDR-TB, treatment, Nigeria