Outcome and determinants of Directly Observed Short-course treatment for tuberculosis patients

Abstract

Background: The Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) is a well-established and  cost-effective strategy for treating Tuberculosis. It efficiently transforms infectious cases into non infectious ones, effectively interrupting the transmission cycle of the disease. Objectives: Measure  the treatment outcomes in TB patients during 2016-2020, describe the socio-demographic and  clinical profile of TB patients and evaluate the performance of the National TB program in Babil  governorate based on WHO indicators. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done.  All TB patients in the NTP Center of Babil governorate under the DOTS program from 2016 to  2020 were included. A form was developed to compile socio-demographic data, clinical  presentation, and treatment outcomes. Results: A total number of cases was 1723. The mean age  was 40.0 (± 21.0) years. The female constituted 53.8% of cases. The patients aged ≥ 65 years had  the highest percentage of total cases 279 (16.2%). Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) constituted  56.1% of the cases 50.5% of them had smear-positive. The most common site for extrapulmonary  tuberculosis (EPTB) was lymph nodes 41.1%. Treatment success was attained in 93.7%, while  3.3% of patients dead. The patients aged ≥ 65 years have the lowest success rate and highest  treatment unsuccess rate opposite to young age groups (p 0.002). Conclusion: The treatment  outcome target planned by WHO was achieved. The case detection rate of all form was low. The  age and the site of TB significantly affected the outcome of treatment.