Mulusew Andualem Asemahagn
Sputum smear conversion and associated factors among smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a longitudinal study
Bahir Dar University
abstract background sputum smear conversion key indicator treatment response reduced infectivity among bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis ptb patients study aimed estimating sputum smear conversion identifying factors hindering sputum smear conversion among bacteriologically confirmed ptb cases east gojjam zone northwest ethiopia methods total 282 bacteriologically confirmed ptb patients followed 22 weeks weekly sputum smear examination due absence sputum culture rapid diagnostic services sputum smear conversion evaluation conducted microscopically using acidfastbacilli staining technique sediments 5 sodium hypochlorite concentration technique data sociodemographic clinical profile personal behavior variables collected using pretested intervieweradministered questionnaire various descriptive statistics including mean median interquartile range iqr proportions computed describe study objectives factors sputum smear conversion identified multivariable logistic regression analysis statistical significance determined p value lt 005 results half 166 59 bacteriologically confirmed ptb patients males 147 52 rural dwellers mean age respondents 35 5 sd years 88 312 bacteriologically confirmed ptb patients comorbidities 102 362 faced stigma 54 19 history cigarette smoking median sputum smear conversions intensive phase 5th months treatment follow 35 dyas iqr 2156 days 53 days iqr 2882 days respectuvely majority 85 95 ci 7693 95 95 ci 8599 bacteriologically confirmed ptb patients underwent sputum smear conversion end 2nd 5th months treatment respectively poor knowledge tb hiv positive higher smear grading diabetes mellitus undernutrition cigarette smoking facing societal stigma tb service delays positively associated length sputum smear conversion p value lt 005 conclusion based study median sputum smear conversion time higher compared tb program expectations findings former studies study also identified important factors associated sputum smear conversion time improving health literacy community revising existing community awareness strategies essential enhance treatment adherence lower infectiousness treatment initiation