Treatment Outcomes and Associated Factors in Tuberculosis Patients at Atwima Nwabiagya District, Ashanti Region, Ghana: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study.

Sadick Ahmed Agyare,Eugene Osei Yeboah,Michael Owusu-Ansah,Francis Adjei Osei,Samuel Frimpong Odoom,Ernest Amanor,Aliyu Mohammed,Nicholas Karikari Mensah,Charles Martyn-Dickens,Adwoa Asante-Poku

doi:10.1155/2021/9952806

Abstract

Introduction Tuberculosis poses a great threat to public health around the globe and affects persons mostly in their productive age, notwithstanding; everyone is susceptible to tuberculosis (TB) infection. To assess the effectiveness and performance of the tuberculosis control program activities, the percentage of cases with treatment success outcome is key. To control tuberculosis, interrupting transmission through effective treatment cannot be overemphasized. The study was conducted to determine factors associated with TB treatment outcome, in the Atwima Nwabiagya District from 2007–2017. Method A Retrospective review of routine/standard TB registers was carried out in five directly observed therapy short-course (DOTS) centres at the Atwima Nwabiagya District from January 2007 to December 2017. Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes were assessed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine the predictors of successful treatment outcome. Results Of the 891 TB client's data that was assessed in the district, the treatment success rate was 68.46%. Patients, aged ≤ 20 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.74, 95%CI = 1.75 − 12.83) and 51-60 years (aOR = 1.94, 95%CI = 1.12 − 3.39), having a pretreatment weight of 35-45 kg (aOR = 2.54, 95%CI = 1.32 − 4.87), 46-55 kg (aOR = 2.75, 95%CI = 1.44 − 5.27) and 56-65 kg (aOR = 3.04, 95%CI = 1.50 − 6.14) were associated with treatment success. However, retreatment patients (aOR = 0.31, 95%CI = 0.11 − 0.84) resulted in unsuccessful treatment outcome. Conclusion Successful treatment outcome among TB patients was about 20.00% and 30.00% lower compared to the national average treatment success rate and WHO target, respectively. Active monitoring, motivation, and counselling of retreatment patients and patients with advanced age are key to treatment success.

Highlights

Tuberculosis poses a great threat to public health around the globe and affects persons mostly in their productive age, notwithstanding; everyone is susceptible to tuberculosis (TB) infection
The clinical presentation of TB is associated with the pathogenesis of an Acid-Fast Bacilli bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is transmitted through aerosols or droplets when an individual with an active infection coughs, sneezes, sings, or talks [1, 2]
A total of 1,032 TB patients were registered at the 5 DOT centres at the Atwima Nwabiagya District during the period (2007-2017) of review

Summary

Introduction

Tuberculosis poses a great threat to public health around the globe and affects persons mostly in their productive age, notwithstanding; everyone is susceptible to tuberculosis (TB) infection. To assess the effectiveness and performance of the tuberculosis control program activities, the percentage of cases with treatment success outcome is key. The study was conducted to determine factors associated with TB treatment outcome, in the Atwima Nwabiagya District from 2007–2017. Individuals who are immunocompromised such as people with HIV, diabetes, malnutrition, or heavy smokers, and older adults and children have a higher risk of developing symptoms of TB [4]. This may Tuberculosis Research and Treatment include a cough that produces phlegm, fever, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. It is reported that a single TB patient with active infection can infect an average of 1015 people annually if the patient is not treated [6]

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