Assessing Treatment Outcomes in Previously Treated Tuberculosis Patients’ in Nasarawa State, Nigeria: Implication for Resistance

Abstract

The burden of both TB and HIV infections in Nasarawa State, Nigeria is relatively high, while TB diagnostics are grossly inadequate thus, assessing retreatment outcomes among previously treated TB patients is imperative. This study assessed the proportion of retreatment TB cohorts within two major TB centres in the state. It sought to evaluate treatment outcomes among retreatment TB patients. Retrospective cross-sectional design was adopted. Data was abstracted from the national TB register available at the study sites: Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia and Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ Medical Centre, Alushi, Nassarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 1678 TB cases were abstracted from two facilities, 9.2% of these patients were previously treated of pulmonary TB. While about 21% of previously treated patients lacked access to HIV testing, about 40% of these patients were HIV-infected. Deaths and defaults were more among retreatment patients co-infected with HIV, however, this was not statistically significant. A successful treatmentoutcome of 86% was reported. Despite high TB/HIV co-infection prevalence rates and the limited laboratory infrastructure in the state, a successful retreatment outcome was achieved.