Effect of increased ART-CPT uptake on tuberculosis outcomes and associated factors, Burundi, 2009–2013

Abstract

We retrospectively examined 3579 records of human immunodeficiency virus infected tuberculosis (TB) patients diagnosed from January 2009 to June 2013 in 55 TB treatment facilities in Burundi, to demonstrate whether improvement of combined cotrimoxazole preventive therapy and antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake was accompanied by improvement of treatment outcomes, and to describe associated factors. Treatment success rates increased from 71% to 80% (P < 0.001). While loss to follow-up and transfer-out rates declined significantly, death rates decreased modestly, and remained high, at 14%. ART uptake was worse in suburban areas and private for-profit institutions. World Health Organization targets could be achieved if peripheral health facilities were prioritised.