ஐ.எஸ்.எஸ்.என்: 2161-1068
Daniel Mekonnen Nigus, Wondemagegn Mulu Lingerew, Bayeh Abera Beyene, Aschalew Admassu Tamiru, Martha Tibebu Lemma and Mulat Yimer Melaku
Background: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR - TB) is becoming a major public health problem in Ethiopia. According to Ethiopian national drug resistance survey (2005), the prevalence of MDR-TB among new and retreatment cases was 1.6% and 12% respectively. So far there was no latest report on the prevalence of MDR-TB in Ethiopia, especially in the study area. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MDR-TB among presumptive MDR-TB cases found in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.
Methods: Across sectional study was done in Amhara National Regional State from May 2012 to May 2013. Samples processed using 2% N-acetyl-L-cysteine-sodium hydroxide for Lowenstein Jensen culture and Ziehl- Neelsen staining. Resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid was made using molecular line probe assay. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to compute P-value, odds ratio and confidence interval and P-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Multivariate analysis was computed to identify the independently associated factors.
Results: A total of 606 Presumptive MDR-TB cases were took part in the study and screened for MDR-TB status. The overall prevalence of MDR-TB was 93(15.3%). Rifampicin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH) mono resistance were 17(2.8%) and 15(2.5%) respectively. Considering RMP mono resistance as surrogate marker for MDR TB, prevalence of MDR TB/RMP resistance was 110(18.2%). Moreover, the rate of MDR TB among smear and/or culture positive samples were 42.9% and together with RMP mono resistance, it increased to 50.7%. Age at a range of 21-30 years old, being female and TB history of defaulters were significantly associated with having MDR-TB.
Conclusions: MDR-TB is a major public health problem and mainly affects economically productive age group of the population and females. This is a threat to TB control programme in Ethiopia so that MDR-TB ward, diagnostic facility, and surveillance activities should be expanded.