Evaluation of drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment outcome in Limpopo province, South Africa

BACKGROUND: South Africa has the second-highest tuberculosis (TB) incidence globally. Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) treatment has less successful treatment outcomes as compared with susceptible TB, and it hinders TB control and management programmes. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate drug-resistant TB treatment outcomes and factors associated with successful treatment outcomes. SETTING: The study was conducted in five districts in Limpopo province. METHODS: The study design was retrospective and descriptive. Patients’ demographic data, data on clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes data were extracted from the electronic drug-resistant tuberculosis register (EDRWeb) database system for the period, 2010–2018, in Limpopo province. Frequency, percentages and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyse data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27.0. The significance difference was determined at a 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 385 drug-resistant records were included in this study. The treatment success rate was 223 (57.9%). A total of 197 (51.2%) patients were cured, 26 (6.8%) completed treatment, 19 (4.9%) treatment failure, 62 (16.1%) died, 78 (20.6%) were recorded as the loss to follow-up, 1 (0.3%) moved to another country and 2 (0.5%) were transferred out. CONCLUSION: The treatment success rate was 57.9%, which is still below targets set by National Strategic Plan in South Africa and World Health Organization End TB targets. CONTRIBUTION: The findings of the study reveal that to achieve successful DR-TB control programme and attain End TB targets, monitoring of treatment outcomes is crucial.