Trends of Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes at Mizan-Aman General Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: TB continues to be a major public health problem in Ethiopia, which ranks seventh by estimated number of cases among the 22 TB high-burden countries. TB Treatment will only be effective if the patient completes the regimen which includes a combination of drugs recommended by the physicians. Incomplete treatment may result in prolonged excretion of bacteria which may lead to increased morbidity and mortality and spread of the disease. Objectives: to assess the trends of tuberculosis treatment outcomes at Mizan Aman General Hospital, Bench Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia, from September 2010 to August 2013. Methods: A retrospective study design was conducted at the TB clinic of Mizan general Hospital by analyzing the data of registered tuberculosis patients. The original case records were carefully reviewed, analyzed and interpreted to determine descriptive statistic such as frequencies and proportion of variables. The results of the study were presented using tables and line diagram. The study was approved ethically by Jimma University, college of public health and medical science, department of Nursing. Result: about 2043 TB patient record was retrieved in this study period from 2010- 2013. Of these, 1207 (58.00%) were males and 874 (42.00%) were females. The magnitude of TB case during the study period were smoothly declined in the first four consecutive six months 382, 312, 212 and 116, respectively, whereas in the fifth six month the TB case dramatically increased to 547 however in the last phase reduces to 472. During the study period 362 (17.72 %) completed the treatment, 79 (3.87 %) cured, 4 (0.20%) defaulted, 1575 (76.99%) transferred out to other health facility, 25 (1.22%) were died but no one could failed the treatment regimen. Conclusion: The trends of overall TB diagnosed cases were reduced in the first two years but it increases in the third year. The treatment outcomes; high in transfer out and low in cure rate was observed. Thus, Behavioral change communication education emphasized on early detection and treatment of TB cases is important strategies to reduce TB burden.