Background: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB) is becoming a major threat to tuberculosis control programs in
Ethiopia.
Objectives: To determine risk factors of MDR-TB patients in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.
Methods: Case-control study was conducted from May 2013 to January 2014. Resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid were
done molecularly using line probe assay. TB patients infected with MDR-
M. tuberculosis
and non MDR-
M.tuberculosis strain
were considered as cases and controls, respectively. Data was collected using structured questionnaire with face to face interview.
Patients’ clinical record review was also done.Multivariate analysis was computed to determine the risk factors of
MDR-TB.
Results: A total of 153 MDR-TB and equal number of non MDR-TB patients’ participated in the study. Patients
who had TB treatment failure (AOR=13.5,CI=2.69-70), cavitations on chest x-ray (AOR=1.9,CI=1.1-3.38) and contact
with MDR-TB patients (AOR=1.4,CI=0.19-0.39) were more likely to be MDR-TB patients. Low monthly income
(AOR=1.1,CI=0.34-0.47),alcohol consumption (AOR=1.5,CI=0.2-0.98) and young age (AOR=2.9,CI=1.07-7.68) were the
other risk factors of MDR-TB.
Conclusions: TB treatment failure, cavitation on chest X-ray, contact with MDR-TB patients and low socioeconomic status
were important risk factors for development of MDR-TB. Therefore, strict adherence to directly observed therapy, appropriate
management of TB patients and advice on the value of nutrients are helpful to control the spreading of MDR-TB.
