OL-003 Evaluation of tuberculosis control programme in Khartoum state for the year 2006

Disease and treatment-related factors associated with tuberculosis treatment default in Khartoum State, Sudan: a case-control study

“…In our study, the overall prevalence of TB treatment default among the patients who attended TB treatment clinics during the study period was 14%, which is similar to that reported in other studies conducted in Khartoum State (5,16). A high default rate on TB treatment has also been reported in other developing countries in Africa and Asia, e.g.…”

“…The Ministry of Health in Khartoum State adopted a DOTS strategy when it was recommended by the WHO in 1993 (5). To make the access of TB services available, the Ministry of Health set up more than 50 TB units (microscopic and treatment centres) distributed all over the State, according to geography and population density (16). Despite these efforts, TB treatment default remains high.…”

“…Its health facilities include 43 hospitals, 147 health centres, 185 centres run by nongovernmental organizations, 235 dispensaries and 365 primary health care units. TB services are available in 53 of the primary health care centres in Khartoum State and is where TB patients receive their treatment (16). A registered nurse is designated responsible for TB treatment and follow up of continuation of treatment in the primary health care unit.…”

“…In addition, defaulting increases the risk of drug resistance, relapse and death, and may prolong infectiousness (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). The TB patient treatment default rate is about 10% in Sudan (5) and 14% in Khartoum State (16). The high rate of default on TB treatment in Khartoum State makes the identification of the risk factors leading to patients to default essential.…”