(RS18) Factors Associated With Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes In A Malaysian Tertiary Healthcare Centre

Introduction:

Malaysia has only achieved 79% of tuberculosis (TB) treatment success rate in 2018 instead of 90% that has been targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO). In achieving this, it is vital to identify significant factors associated with various TB treatment outcomes.

Results:

Out of the 689 cases included, the treatment success rate was 62.8% (n=433), still below the targeted WHO mark. Among the unsuccessful treatment outcomes (n=256), death was the highest at 25.5% (n=176) followed by lost to follow up 8.7% (n=60). Majority of all TB cases were males, had low education, newly diagnosed with predominantly pulmonary TB type. In the multiple logistic regression, factors significantly associated with unsuccessful TB treatment outcome (p<0.05) were age 35-54 and more than 55, foreigners, unemployment, lived >10KM away from tertiary centre, recurrent cases, advanced chest X-ray and HIV positive.

Conclusion:

Four out of five TB patients had successful treatment outcome and one in four TB patients had died after being diagnosed in HKL. Previously uncited factors such as younger age group and living further away should be addressed with newer public health measures including community-based care and short course treatment