The epidemiology of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces, Zimbabwe 2017

OBJECTIVE: To investigate determinants of drug resistance and treatment outcomes among patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study on patients diagnosed with DR-TB in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces, 2015. RESULTS: A total of 129 participants were identified. DR-TB patients were 3.4 times more likely to have been treated previously for sensitive TB (95% confidence interval 1.3–9.2). Approximately 88.5% of DR-TB patients were diagnosed before completing the sensitive TB course and another 82.1% developed DR-TB within 6 months of completing sensitive TB treatment. The likelihood diminished with increasing time interval, becoming less likely at >12 months post-treatment. Most DR-TB patients (87.5%) were likely to have resided outside Zimbabwe and to have fallen ill there (85.2%). Overall, hearing loss was the most prevalent (70%) medication side effect experienced. Unfavourable interim treatment outcomes were high for patients <6 months on treatment (prevalence odds ratio 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–6.1), becoming 44% less likely after 18 months (95% CI 1.2–11.4). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of DR-TB patients were diagnosed during sensitive TB treatment, suggesting missed DR-TB diagnosis or inadequate treatment. Delays in starting effective TB regimens negatively affect treatment outcomes. Drug sensitivity testing at diagnosis, patient monitoring, and enhanced adherence counselling are recommended.