article · Tuberculosis Research and Treatment
A retrospective evaluation of tuberculosis patients treated under the directly observed treatment short course strategy at Debre Tabor Health Center between May 2008 and April 2013 assessed clinical outcomes and associated determinants. Out of 339 registered patients, 303 were evaluated for outcome analysis. The overall treatment success rate was 87.1 per cent, meeting national target expectations, whilst 12.9 per cent experienced unsuccessful outcomes. Multivariate regression showed that patients aged 45 years and older had significantly higher odds of treatment success. Conversely, female patients, rural residents, and patients showing a negative sputum smear result at the second month of treatment had significantly lower odds of a successful outcome. Recommendations focus on enhanced tracking of transferred-out cases and investigating additional sociodemographic barriers to recovery.
Evaluating local tuberculosis programmes allows healthcare administrators to verify whether treatment targets are being met and identify vulnerable groups. Recognising that women and rural dwellers experience poorer recovery rates provides public health managers with clear evidence to refine patient support systems, tailor community outreach, and reduce treatment default across rural health networks.
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Background. Assessing the outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) treatment is an important indicator for evaluation of the effectiveness of tuberculosis control programs. In Ethiopia, directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) was included in the national tuberculosis control program as a strategy but little is known about its effectiveness in the study area. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the treatment outcomes of TB patients and associated factors in Debre Tabor, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted among TB patients for the period from May 2008 to April 2013 at Debre Tabor Health Center, northwest Ethiopia. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Descriptive statistics were used to generate frequency tables and figures. Logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with treatment outcomes at P value ≤ 0.05. Results. Out of 339 patients (197 males and 142 females) registered for antituberculosis treatment in Debre Tabor Health Center, only 303 patients were included in the treatment outcome analysis and 87.1% had successful treatment outcome while 12.9% had unsuccessful treatment outcome. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the odds of successful treatment outcome were higher among patients ≥45 years of age (AOR = 3.807, 95% CI: 1.155-12.544) and lower among females (AOR = 0.347, 95% CI: 0.132-0.917), rural residents (AOR = 0.342, 95% CI: 0.118-0.986), and negative smear result at the second month of treatment (AOR = 0.056, 95% CI: 0.005-0.577) as compared to their counterparts. Conclusion. The treatment outcome of all forms of tuberculosis patients in Debre Tabor health center was satisfactory as expected from effective implementation of DOTS. Although the observed successful treatment outcome was in agreement with the national target, follow-up of patients during the course of treatment to trace the treatment outcomes of transferred-out patients and assessment of other potential sociodemographic factors that could affect the treatment outcomes of TB patients were also recommended.
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DOI: 10.1155/2016/1354356
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