Proportion and trend of primary resistance among Multidrug resistant Tuberculosis patients in Ethiopia

Evidence based information on the proportion & trend of primary resistance among multidrug resistance (MDR) TB patients is important for designing effective strategies in the control of the disease.

A retrospective record review of 348 MDR/RR-TB patients treated at All African Leprosy Rehabilitation & Training (ALERT) Center from January 2014- December 2018. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square/Fisher exact test as appropriate. Trend analysis was done using chi-square & linear regression. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine the factors associated with primary MDR/RR TB. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI and p value < 5% were used to report factors associated.

Proportion of primary resistance among MDR/RR TB patients was 25.9% with 95% CI 21.3-30.3%. The proportion increased form 9.7% in 2014 to 43.4% in 2018 at a yearly increasing rate of 9.27%. Contact history to TB patient & year of diagnosis 2017 and 2018 were significantly associated with primary resistance AOR (95% CI) & p value 4.15(1.75-9.84) p = 0.001, 3.87(1.44-10.39) p = 0.007, 3.43(1.20-9.84) p = 0.022 respectively.

The study revealed a high proportion of primary resistance among MDR/RR TB during the study period with a linearly increasing fashion thus a need for due attention in the efforts to control MDR TB.