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1: Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2001 Jul;5(7):628-32.Click here to read Links

Treatment outcome among Rwandan and Burundian refugees with sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in Ngara, Tanzania.

Rutta E, Kipingili R, Lukonge H, Assefa S, Mitsilale E, Rwechungura S.

Norwegian People's Aid, Greater Lukole Camp Hospital, Ngara, Tanzania. erutta@bushlink.co.tz

SETTING: Tuberculosis programme in six camps (Benaco, Musuhura, Lumasi, Lukole, Keza and Kitali) for Rwandan and Burundian refugees in Ngara district, Tanzania, where treatment was directly observed throughout. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the treatment outcome of sputum smear-positive tuberculosis cases recruited in refugee camps in Ngara, and to determine the cumulative frequency of conversion of sputum smears by direct microscopy. DESIGN: Retrospective review of tuberculosis registers from January 1995 to December 1999. RESULTS: Of 546 patients with smear-positive tuberculosis who were notified in the programme, 363 (66.5%) had completed treatment and were bacteriologically cured after 7 months, 10.9% had died, 7.1% had defaulted and 14.5% had transferred out. Sputum conversion after the 2-month intensive phase was 88%, and increased to 99% after 7 months of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The involvement of the Tanzania NTLP in collaboration with health NGOs has led to a satisfactory outcome. These data suggest that it is possible for tuberculosis control programmes to perform successfully in refugee settings.

PMID: 11467369 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]