An Epidemiological Study of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Cases: Survey in the Northern Part of Bangladesh

An Epidemiological Study of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Cases: Survey in the Northern Part of Bangladesh

By: Himangshu Karmaker, Muhammad Abul Basar, Muhammad Reazul Karim, Muhammad Masud Rana, Muhammad Golam Hossain, Muhammad Abdul Wadood, Muhammad Rafiqul Islam
Publication: Public Health Research2016; 6(2): 52-58. doi: 10.5923/j.phr.20160602.04.

Abstract

Background

Drug resistant tuberculosis (DR TB) is a global concern due to high fatality, and high cost and hazardous treatment. It is important to know the epidemiological factors of DR TB for effectively controlling this infectious disease. The aim of the present study was to identify the epidemiological factors of DR TB patients in the Northern part of Bangladesh.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted of registered DR TB patients at two chest diseases hospitals (CDH) in Northern part of Bangladesh. Data was collected from 164 registered DR TB cases (male 113 and female 51) using pre and post tested standard questionnaire. Some information was also collected from available records at those hospitals.

Results

The present study demonstrated that males (68.9%) were more affected by DR TB than females (31.8%). A decreasing trends was observed in DR TB patients with increasing age (excluded, age group (6-15)). When we adjusted age and sex, higher percentage of DR TB cases was especially pronounced among who were living in Rajshahi division (72.6%) and rural areas (86%), came from ‘Failure of Category–1’ (24%), ‘Relapse after Category–1’ (33%) and ‘Non Converters of Category–1’ (21%) and low income family (44%, BDT ≤10000). Among the cases, 32% were illiterate and 28% had primary level education, and the percentage of male DR TB patients who were habitual smokers was 56.63%.

Conclusions

This study suggested that sex, age, type of treatment, residence, education and smoking status were important factors for getting MDR TB. It is expected that this study can help government to take activities for controlling and prevent MDR TB disease.