Magnitude of Multidrug Resistance and Associated Factors of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Among Adult Smear Positive Patients in Eastern Ethiopia

Ziad Amin,1 Habtamu Mitiku,2 Dadi Marami,2 Tadesse Shume,2 Fitsum Weldegebreal2 1Harari Health Research and Regional Laboratory, Harar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health and Medical Science, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Fitsum Weldegebreal Email fwmlab2000@gmail.comBackground: In Ethiopia, multidrug resistant tuberculosis is a major public health problem. However, information is scarce regarding MDR-TB and associated factors.&#x00A0Objective: The study was aimed to assess the magnitude of multidrug resistance and associated factors of pulmonary tuberculosis among adult smear-positive patients in Harari regional state health facilities, eastern Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 395 adult smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients attending health facilities from March to October 2019. Smear-positive sputum samples were collected from health facilities, and transported to Harari Health Research and Regional Laboratory, and tested for drug susceptibility using a line probe assay. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses with 95% confidence intervals were carried out to identify factors associated with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.Results: The overall magnitude of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis was 3.8% (15/395) (95% CI: 2.0– 5.8%). Being male (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI: 1.16, 20.5), patients with a previous history of tuberculosis (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI: 1.5, 29.6), treatment failure (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI: 1.61, 45.3), treatment default (AOR = 10.38; 95% CI: 1.86, 58.0), human immunodeficiency virus co-infection (AOR = 9.83.95% CI: 3, 21, 30.1) and a previous history of contact with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients (AOR = 14.4; 95% CI: 3.1, 67.6) had higher odds of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.Conclusion: The overall magnitude of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis was high. St