Outcomes of TB treatment in HIV co-infected TB patients in Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) treatment among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infected TB patients, and identify factors associated with these outcomes. A quantitative cross-sectional analytic design was used. Patient level secondary data was collected and analysed for the study. A total of 575 TB patients, including 360 non-HIV infected, 169 HIV co-infected and 46 without a documented HIV status, were enrolled. The overall treatment success rate was 91.5%, and HIV co-infected TB patients had a high rate (11.8%) of unfavourable outcomes. The cure rate was significantly lower (10.1% versus 24.2%) and the death rate higher in HIV co-infected patients (8.3% versus 2.5%). Age and TB classification were significantly associated with treatment outcome. No association was found with starting ART, Cotrimoxazole prophylactic treatment or enrolment in HIV care, but 22% of HIV co-infected TB patients were taking ART when they developed TB disease