Predictors of treatment failure among tuberculosis patients under DOTS strategy in Egypt

ABSTRACT

Treatment failure is a serious problem facing some national tuberculosis [TB] control programmes. Irregularity of treatment is a factor that can lead to treatment failure. A case-control study was carried out in TB centres in Egypt during April 2001-December 2002 aimed at investigating the predictors of treatment failure. We interviewed 119 people with treatment failure and an equal number of cured cases [controls] and their families regarding sociodemographic characteristics, information about TB, information about drugs, treatment compliance, family support and patient-family interaction. Significant risk factors for treatment failure were non-compliance to treatment, deficient health education to the patient, poor patient knowledge regarding the disease and diabetes mellitus as co-morbid condition