Risk Factors for Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Multi-Drug resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is becoming a major challenge of the tuberculosis (TB) control program in Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to investigate risk factors for MDR-TB in Addis Ababa. Comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the risk factors for MDR-TB in Addis Ababa. MDR and non MDR-TB cases were compared on key socio-demographic and patient related clinical features for multidrug-resistance. A total 439 (113 MDR-TB and 326 non MDR-TB) were enrolled in to the study. Standard data abstraction instrument were used. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 18 for windows. Initial descriptive analyses of all variables of interest, odds ratio, univariate and subsequent multiple regression analysis was carried out. Male sex (OR 2, 95%CI 1.4-5), younger age of 15-34 years (OR 2.8, 95%CI 1.7-6.4), twice or more episodes of TB treatment (OR 14, 95%CI 1.3-9), treatment category of failure after re-treatment (OR 4, 95%CI 2.5-6.83), pulmonary TB (OR 2, 95%CI 1.7-5) and TB/HIV co-infection (OR 2.66, 95%CI 1.32-5.6) were associated with the risks of becoming ill with MDR-TB. The national TB prevention and control programme should be given priority for routine Line Probe Assay to make early diagnosis of MDR-TB particularly among those identified risk groups.