Prevalence of drug resistant tuberculosis in Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background : Wide spread of occurrence of multi-drug resistance tuberculosis is becoming a major challenge to effective tuberculosis control. Thus, it is imperative to monitor the sensitivity of anti-TB drugs regularly. Objective : To determine the prevalence resistance to anti-TB drugs in a well established control program area in Arsi zone. Methods : A health institution based cross-sectional study was designed in Arsi zone Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Patients who have never been treated and previously treated with anti-tuberculosis treatment: isoniazid, streptomycin, thiacetazone, rifampicin and ethambutol were included in the study. Culture positive specimens were tested for susceptibility testing to the anti–tuberculosis drugs using a proportion method with Loweinsten – Jensen medium. Results : The over all resistance to one or more of the anti–tuberculosis drugs was 19.5% (38/195). Primary and acquired resistance were 18.2% (32/172) and 31.6% (6/19), respectively. Multi drug resistance tuberculosis (isoniazid and rifampicin) was absolutely nil in both cases. Conclusion : A wider use of Directly Observed Treatment Short course in the area may contribute to the control of the incidence of drug resistance. (Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2001, 15(1): 11-16)