Prevalence and associated risk factors of drug resistant tuberculosis in a tertiary hospital, Kaduna Northwest Nigeria – A 5-year Review

Abstract

The development of drug resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) is posing a challenge worldwide to the eradication of tuberculosis (TB). This study set out to ascertain the prevalence and associated risk factors of DRTB among cases of TB in a tertiary hospital in Kaduna, Nigeria. This was a retrospective study among patients treated for TB between 2015 and 2019 in a tertiary hospital, Kaduna state, North- West Nigeria. Diagnosis of TB was made if mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in the patient's sputum or extracellular fluid using the Genexpert machine or if the patient had clinical and radiological features suggestive of the disease. All patients that had “rif” resistance detected by the Genexpert test were classified as DR-TB. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM version 23.0 and reported using frequencies and percentages, further analysis using Chi-square and Fisher's exact test. A total of 1606 cases of tuberculosis were enrolled during this period of which 34 (2.1%) cases were DRTB consisting of 23 (67.6%) males and 11 (32.4%) females. Their mean age was 32.5 ±13.34 years, 17 (47.6%) were within the age group 21-40 years. The previous history of TB treatment in 22 (64.7%) of the patients was significantly associated with the development DRTB (p=0.000). Bivariate analysis revealed that age, sex, HIV status and registration group had no significant effects on treatment outcome. The prevalence of DRTB was low over the 5-year period. Previous history of TB treatment was a significant risk for developing DRTB though it did not significantly affect its outcome. The age, gender and HIV status of the patients did not affect the risk and outcome. We recommend advocacy for strict adherence to DOTs to all health care workers and regular education of patients and care givers.