International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume 5, Issue 7, 2001, Pages 628-632

Treatment outcome among Rwandan and Burundian refugees with sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in Ngara, Tanzania (Article)

Rutta E.* , Kipingili R. , Lukonge H. , Assefa S. , Mitsilale E. , Rwechungura S.
  • a Norwegian People's Aid, PO Box 3381, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, South Africa
  • b Norwegian People's Aid, PO Box 3381, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, South Africa
  • c Norwegian People's Aid, PO Box 3381, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, South Africa
  • d Norwegian People's Aid, PO Box 3381, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, South Africa
  • e Norwegian People's Aid, PO Box 3381, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, South Africa
  • f Norwegian People's Aid, PO Box 3381, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, South Africa

Abstract

SETTING: Tuberculosis programme in six camps (Benaco, Musuhura, Lumasi, Lukole, Keza and Kitali) for Rwandan and Burundian refugees in Ngara district, Tanzania, where treatment was directly observed throughout. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the treatment outcome of sputum smear-positive tuberculosis cases recruited in refugee camps in Ngara, and to determine the cumulative frequency of conversion of sputum smears by direct microscopy. DESIGN: Retrospective review of tuberculosis registers from January 1995 to December 1999. RESULTS: Of 546 patients with smear-positive tuberculosis who were notified in the programme, 363 (66.5%) had completed treatment and were bacteriologically cured after 7 months, 10.9% had died, 7.1% had defaulted and 14.5% had transferred out. Sputum conversion after the 2-month intensive phase was 88%, and increased to 99% after 7 months of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The involvement of the Tanzania NTLP in collaboration with health NGOs has led to a satisfactory outcome. These data suggest that it is possible for tuberculosis control programmes to perform successfully in refugee settings.

Author Keywords

tuberculosis Tanzania Refugee

Index Keywords

evaluation Rwanda human Refugees priority journal health program Burundi Sputum Humans Treatment Outcome sputum examination Tuberculosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis Article Retrospective Studies major clinical study isoniazid microscopy Tanzania ethambutol bacteriology Directly Observed Therapy rifampicin pyrazinamide practice guideline
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0034947298&partnerID=40&md5=aa30ce05eb76a40f8466399896ea431f
ISSN: 10273719
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English