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Factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes among tuberculosis patients at health facilities of Maseru, Lesotho
Submitted: 04 July 2024 | Published: 21 October 2024
About the author(s)
Masechaba M. Leketa, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, United KingdomSlindile Zondi, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
Lindiwe Cele, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
Mmampedi Mathibe, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
Phuti Ngwepe, Department of Statistical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) treatment success rates (TSR) remain low in Lesotho. The country achieved TSR of 76% in 2020, which is far below the World Health Organization’s 95% target set for 2030. This study determined the level of treatment success and factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes. This descriptive cross-sectional study used patient records to perform descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Sixty-one per cent of the 336 TB patients were male. Two hundred and eighty-nine had favourable outcomes, of which 10% died in the course of treatment. Patients ≤ 44 years old, and those with supported treatment, had lower odds of unfavourable treatment outcomes, respectively, adjusted odds ration [aOR] = 0.39 (95% CI: 0.19–0.78) and aOR = 0.22 (95% CI: 0.08–0.62), p < 0.05.
Contribution: The death of patients while on TB treatment needs to be addressed, including heightened advocacy for supported treatment.
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