Prevalence of Smear-Positive, Rifampicin-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Related Factors Among Residents with Cough in Northern Ethiopian Refugee Health Facilities

Purpose: To ascertain the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) among refugees suspected of tuberculosis (TB) and related risk factors, including smear-positive and Rifampicin-resistant M.tb.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2020 and May 2020 among 384 refugees in four refugee camps in Northwest Tigray, Ethiopia.Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected from refugees with a history of cough for more than two weeks prospectively.Spot-spot sputum samples were collected and transported in an ice box to the Shire Suhul Hospital Microbiology laboratory; and then examined using a Fluorescent Microscope.All smear-positive samples were further processed by GeneXpert to detect Rifampicin-resistant MTB.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The overall prevalence of smear-positive PTB infection was 5.5% (21/384), but No TB case was resistant to Rifampicin detected by GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay.About 70% of the smear-positive pulmonary TB identified were females.Five (23.8%) of the smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases were co-infected by HIV.Sharing of drink and food materials (AOR = 4.36, 95% CI = 1.19-15.89),active TB contact (AOR 7.24, 95% CI = 1.62-32.125),BMI (AOR = 5.23, 95% CI = 1.28-21.29),opening window practice (AOR = 4.32, 95% CI = 1.02-18.30)and HIV status (AOR = 9.36, 95% CI = 1.64-53.35)were statistically significant predisposing factors. Conclusion:The prevalence of smear-positive pulmonary TB among northwest Tigray refugee camps was still high.The prevalence of TB/HIV co-infection was also high.Minimizing close contact with active TB cases, reducing malnutrition, rapid TB/HIV screening, and establishing a ventilation system can reduce the transmission of TB among refugees.