An Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes in a Cohort of Clients on the DOTS Strategy, 2012–2016. (15th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tetteh, Ato Kwamena; Agyarko, Edward; Otchere, Joseph; Bimi, Langbong; Ayi, Irene
• Other Names: Rom William N. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Tuberculosis research and treatment. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-15
• Subjects: Tuberculosis -- Periodicals; Tuberculosis -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Tuberculosis -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Tuberculosis -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 616.995005
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/4287842
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-150X

Abstract

Abstract : We present, for the first time, an evaluation of treatment outcomes in a cohort at a TB referral centre in the Central Region of Ghana. Of the 213 clients placed on DOTS, 59.2% (126/213) were sputum smear-positive. An overall cure rate of 90.2% (51.6% cured + 37.6% completed) and a death rate of 8.5% (18/213) were estimated. Of the number of clients who died, 5.7% (12/213) were males ( χ 2 = 2.891, p = 0.699 ; LR = 3.004, p = 0.699 ). Deaths were only recorded among clients who were > 19 years old ( χ 2 = 40.319, p = 0.099 ; LR = 41.244, p = 0.083 ). Also, 0.9% (2/213) was lost to follow-up, while 1.4% (3/213) had treatment failure. In total, 13.6% (7.0%, 15/213 males, and 6.6%, 14/213 females) of clients who were placed on DOTS were HIV seropositive. Ages of 40–49 years had the highest number, 13/213 (6.1%), infected with HIV, though the difference among the remaining age groups was not statistically significant ( χ 2 = 9.621, p = 0.142 ). Furthermore, 7.0% (15/213) had TB/HIV coinfection. Out of them, 9 were cured and 5 died at home, while 1 had treatment failure. Tuberculosis/HIV infection prevention advocacy and interventions that address sociodemographic determinants of unfavourable treatment outcomes are urgently required to augment national efforts towards control.