Documentation and treatment outcomes of smear-negative and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Ethiopia

Smear-negative and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) comprise two thirds of TB cases reported in Ethiopia. Neither treatment outcomes nor underlying associated factors are routinely reported for these cases.

To assess treatment outcomes and associated risk factors of smear-negative and extra-pulmonary TB in comparison with smear-positive cases.

Record review of all TB cases registered in 14 randomly selected public and private health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over a 1-year period.

Percentages of smear-negative and extra-pulmonary TB were independent of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, and were not evenly distributed among health facilities. Extra-pulmonary TB was overrepresented in the private sector, and smear-negative TB was more frequent in health clinics than in hospitals. Outcomes reported by clinics were more favourable than those of the hospitals; no differences were observed when comparing public and private health facilities. Only 54% of the TB registers were complete; missing information correlated with unfavourable outcomes. Younger age, but not sex or HIV status, was associated with favourable outcomes.

The uneven distribution of smear-negative and extra-pulmonary TB among different health facilities requires further study and may provide important insight into diagnosis and care of these patients. Incomplete TB register information may be an underappreciated factor contributing to unfavourable outcomes.