The clinical profile and outcomes of drug resistant tuberculosis in Central Province of Zambia

Abstract Background The emergence of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the main public health and economic problems facing the world today. DR-TB affects mostly those in economically productive years and prevents them from being part of the workforce needed for economic growth. The aim of this study was to determine the Clinical Profile and Outcomes of DR-TB in Central Province of Zambia. Methods This was a retrospective cross sectional study that involved a review of records of patients with confirmed DR-TB who were managed at Kabwe Central Hospital’s Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) Ward from the year 2017 to 2021. 183 patients were managed during this period and all were recruited in the study. Data was collected from DR-TB registers and patient files and then entered in SPSS version 22 where all statistical analyses were performed. Results The study revealed that the prevalence of DR-TB among registered TB patients in Central Province was 1.4%. Majority of those affected were adults between the ages of 26 and 45 years (63.9%). The study also found that more than half of the patients were from Kabwe District (60.7%). Other districts with significant number of cases included Kapiri Mposhi 19 (10.4%), Chibombo 12 (6.6%), Chisamba 10 (5.5%), Mumbwa 7 (3.8%) and Mkushi 7 (3.8%). Furthermore, the analysis established that most of the patients had RR-TB (89.6%). 9.3% had MDR-TB, 0.5% had IR-TB and 0.5% had XDR-TB. RR-TB was present in 93.8% of new cases and 88.9% of relapse cases. MDR-TB was present in 6.2% of new cases and 10% of relapse cases. With regard to outcomes of DR-TB, the investigation revealed that 16.9% of the patients had been declared cured, 45.9% had completed treatment, 6% were lost to follow up and 21.3% had died. Risk factors for mortality on multivariate analysis included age 36–45 years (adjusted odds ratio aOR 0.253, 95% CI 0.70–0.908 p = 0.035) and male gender (aOR 0.261, 95% CI 0.107–0.638 p = 0.003). Conclusion The research has shown beyond doubt that the burden of DR-TB in Central Province is high. The study recommends putting measures in place that will help improve surveillance, early detection, early initiation of treatment and proper follow up of patients.