Patient Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes among Patients with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains a public health challenge in Kenya despite advances in diagnosis and shorter, all-oral treatment regimens. Aim: This study assessed patient characteristics influencing DR-TB treatment outcomes in Meru County, Kenya. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study reviewed 201 de-identified records of patients diagnosed with DR-TB and enrolled for treatment between January 2020 and December 2023. Patient characteristics and treatment outcomes were summarised using descriptive statistics. Chi-square tests assessed associations, and multivariable binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of treatment outcomes at p < 0.05. Results: Overall treatment success was 95%. Unfavourable outcomes comprised 3% loss to follow-up and 2% deaths. Most patients were adults, predominantly male, and most had pulmonary DR-TB. Education level was independently associated with favourable treatment outcomes (OR = 2.82; 95% CI: 1.04–7.65; p = 0.041). Age, gender, occupation, marital status, and alcohol use were not statistically significant independent predictors. Conclusions: DR-TB treatment outcomes in Meru County were predominantly favourable in this retrospective sample. Education level was the only patient characteristic independently associated with treatment outcome. Patient education and support tailored to literacy levels may help sustain treatment success. Further research should examine behavioural, clinical, socioeconomic, and health-system factors that may contribute to variation in DR-TB outcomes.