Abstract

---

Rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is an emerging problem of great importance to public health worldwide and together with multidrug-resistant TB causes higher mortality rates than drug sensitive tuberculosis. Data regarding drug-resistance and risk factors associated with rifampicin resistant from Kano are lacking. The study therefore, determined the prevalence and risk factors associated with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) in Kano State, Nigeria. A one-year retrospective study was conducted among tuberculosis patients attending Direct Observed Treatment Short-course centers equipped with GeneXpert facilities in Kano State, Nigeria from January 2019 to December, 2019. Pulmonary and extra-pulmonary samples were analyzed using Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Cepheid, GeneXpert, USA). The data was collected from the Xpert MTB/RIF assay registers and patient’s folder. Data generated were analyzed using Chi-square and results were presented in tables. Out of 55,021 samples analyzed, 111 (0.2%) had rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. There was significance relationship between socio-demographic characteristics (gender, age groups and marital status), prevalence and transmission dynamic of rifampicin resistant among the studied subject in the study area (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.37, 2.54, 1.51; p≤0.5). The study confirmed the presence of rifampicin resistant tuberculosis in the study area. It also identifies the need to strengthen the laboratory capacity for early diagnosis of RR-TB as well as improvement on availability and accessibility of the services to patients by the relevant authorities to reduce the disease burden.

Keywords: Rifampicin Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis