Treatment outcome of Tuberculosis and HIV Co-infection at a Tertiary Health Facility in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: The management of tuberculosis is an important public Health issue. TB is a reemerging disease linked with HIV infections. It is necessary to compare the treatment outcome of patients with only Tuberculosis with those with HIV/AIDs co-infection. This study will also provide baseline information on treatment outcome on the DOTS eight month regimen and guide decisions in review of the regimen
Objective: To determine the treatment outcome of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) in patients with tuberculosis (TB) and TB/HIV co – infection.
Design: A retrospective descriptive study of records of DOTS patients from January 2009 to December 2010 was compiled. Treatment outcome (cured, completed, failure, died, defaulted, transferred out) and HIV status were reviewed.
Results: A total of 575 cases of tuberculosis were assessed and126(22%) were HIV positive. From the total of 293(51%) new smear positive cases,53%(n=155) had only TB and 42%(n=123) had TB/HIV coinfection. Cure rate for new smear positive TB and TB/HIV co-infection was 83 %(n=129) and 74%(n=90) respectively.HIV positive cases were more likely to have higher mortality (17% vs 7%). The difference in all other outcomes (treatment failure, defaulted, transferred out) were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: HIV co-infection resulted in a poorer outcome. Community oriented programmes, early diagnosis and treatment of HIV and isoniazid preventive therapy are essential to improve treatment outcome.