Outcome of tuberculosis treatment and its predictors among HIV infected patients in southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Co-infection with HIV challenges treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and worsens the outcome. This study aimed to assess the outcome of TB treatment and its predictors among HIV infected patients at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH), Ethiopia. RESULT: The treatment outcomes of TB patients included in this study were 18 (9.57%) cured, 20 (10.64%) defaulted, 24 (12.77%) died, 39 (20.74%) completed the treatment, and 87 (46.28%) transferred out. A successful treatment outcome was achieved in 57 (30.32%) patients. Initial World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage III (COR: 2.60; 95%CI: 1.17-5.76) and stage IV (COR: 4.00; 95%CI: 1.29-12.40) were associated with unfavorable outcome. Both WHO stages (III, IV) at the time of HIV diagnosis were independent predictors of poor treatment outcome (AOR: 3.08; 95%CI: 1.14-8.38; AOR: 5.80; 95%CI: 1.36-24.71 respectively). However, smear positive TB was an independent predictor of a favorable treatment outcome (AOR: 2.50; 95%CI: 1.13-5.51). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that treatment outcome of TB patients was unsatisfactory, which signals a need for improved care. Advanced WHO clinical stages were predictors of poor outcome, while smear positive TB favors good outcome.