Determinants of tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Asia and Africa

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is both infectious and deadly. Although it can be prevented and treated, the increasing number of TB patients is a nation-wide and global challenge, and thus it requires efforts to control the disease appropriately leading to good treatment outcomes. Identifying the determinants of treatment outcomes is necessary to improve control strategies and programs for TB. Scientific evidence on this issue is still limited. This systematic review aims to describe the potential determinants of TB treatment outcomes regarding the patient’s internal and external factors. The review was carried out using the procedures specified in the PRISMA guidelines. Five databases were used to identify studies related to the determinants of treatment outcomes obtained. There were 829 articles meeting the screening criteria, 23 meeting the criteria for full article review, and 21 for analysis. Most scientific evidence reports the age, sex, HIV status, and location of TB as determinants of treatment outcomes. Sorting and selecting data consistently are necessary in reporting the results of TB treatment which then becomes the foundation for formulating appropriate, targeted, effective, and most needed policies or interventions in improving treatment outcomes and reducing incidence of TB.