Assessment of risk factors associated with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Gulu regional referral hospital

Background: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is increasingly recognized as emerging infectious disease of public health concern. Globally, 206030 people were diagnosed with MDR-TB in 2019, representing a 10% increase from 186883peo-ple who had it in 2018. In Uganda, the prevalence of MDR among new TB cases is 4.4% and 17.7% among previously treated TB cases.Aim: To determine the risk factors associated with MDR-TB among tuberculosis patients in Gulu regional referral hospital.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis was used. Data was collected from 384 TB patients using data extraction form and 6 Key informant interviews conducted. Analysis using Pearson chi-square test was run.Results: HIV positive patients were 2.6 times more likely to be infected with MDR-TB than HIV negative patients [AOR=2.6: 95% CI 1.34- 5.85: P=0.006]. Previously treated TB patients were 2.8 times more likely to be infected with MDR-TB than newly diagnosed TB patients [AOR=2.8: 95% CI 1.33- 5.85: P=0.006]. Defaulting TB patients were 3.1 times more likely to be infected with MDR-TB than the non-defaulting TB patients [AOR=3.1]Conclusion: There is high prevalence of drug resistance among patients attending TB treatment at the facility.