Prevalence and Factors Associated with Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in Patients with Tuberculosis in Health Region 7Th

Abstract

        This cross-sectional analytical research aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in tuberculosis patients in the 7^th health region, Thailand. Data were collected from pulmonary tuberculosis patients registered in the National Tuberculosis Information Program (NTIP) from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2020. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression, presenting Adjusted Odds Ratios (OR_adj) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI) and P-values, with a significance level set at 0.05.

        The research revealed that the sample group consisted of 16,698 tuberculosis patients, with 68.61% were male, the median age was 56 years (Min =18, Max=89). The prevalence of MDR-TB was 1.01%. Factors associated with MDR-TB among pulmonary TB patients in Health Region 7 included male OR_adj=1.46 (95%CI: 1.01 - 2.11, P-value = 0.040), relapse OR_adj=7.55 (95%CI: 5.43 - 10.49, P-value < 0.001), pulmonary tuberculosis OR_adj=4.09 (95%CI: 1.79 - 9.31, P-value = 0.001), combined pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis OR_adj=9.16 (95% CI: 2.73 - 30.72, P-value < 0.001), HIV infection OR_adj=1.85 (95%CI: 1.05 - 3.25, P-value = 0.031), and comorbidity with diabetes mellitus OR_adj=1.59 (95%CI: 1.09 - 2.32, P-value = 0.015).

        Therefore, relevant authorities should conduct proactive community-based screening and case-finding for TB patients, particularly those with a history of treatment failure, HIV co-infection, diabetes mellitus, and focus on monitoring and managing tuberculosis patients, especially those with pulmonary TB, to prevent the emergence of MDR-TB.