Primary resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: To obtain current, representative information on current drug resistance patterns in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study whereby 167 isolates were tested for susceptibility to the anti-tuberculosis drugs commonly used in the country (isoniazid, thiacetazone, rifampicin, streptomycin and ethambutol). All hospitals, health centres and 6 of the 9 clinics in Addis Ababa were included in the study. RESULT: Overall primary drug resistance was found to be 15.6% (26/167). Primary resistance to two or more drugs was 7.2% (12/167). The highest rate of primary resistance was to streptomycin (10.2%) followed by isoniazid (8.4%). Resistance to rifampicin was low (1.8%, 3/167) and to ethambutol nil. Multiple drug resistance in combinations with rifampicin was low. CONCLUSION: TO prevent further development and spread of resistance, universal use of standard treatment protocol, control of the circulation of anti-tuberculosis drugs, training of health workers, expansion of strictly supervised short-course treatment and establishing a nation-wide and regular surveillance system are recommended.