Background: Tuberculosis is one of the oldest diseases known to affect man. Tuberculosis is responsible for more than 3 million deaths each year and it accounts for 7% of all deaths all over the world. Objectives: This study was designed to show outcomes treatment of newly diagnosed patients of TB in Benha chest Hospital and to study some epidemiological features of TB Patient. Methods: the study was conducted at Benha chest hospital that receives and manages cases of chest diseases including TB. The study included all registered TB cases in the hospital during the period of the study (2003 – 2006). Data were collected form patient files and hospital registers. All suspected cases of TB were investigated and diagnosed according to NTBCP (1994). Follow up of the cases during the course of treatment was done through DOTS strategy to determine to outcome of treatment. The tool of assessment is through sputum and clinical examinations. Results: The study revealed that the detection of TB cases in Benha-chest hospital has been declined form 7.21/1000 examined patients in 2003 to only 0.55/1000 in 2006. Male TB patients represented 66.91% of the total diagnosed cases and more than half (50.29%) of them were from rural areas and the age group 15 to less than 30 years was the most affected group. Cure rate increased from 34.48% in 2003 to 71.55% in 2006 with overall cure rate 52.89%. The overall successful rate was 66.35%. Treatment failure was declined from 8.62% in 2003 to 4.54% in 2006, Defaulted cases in 2006 were lowered (10.09%) than that recorded (39.09%) in 2003 Mortality cases had recorded the lowest percentage (2.44%) during the period of the study. Conclusion: There was improvement in cure rate among newly diagnosed TB patients during the period of the study but was still below the recommended globally. Recommendations: To strengthen DOTS strategy, more support and coordination between different sectors working in NTBCP and integration activities of TB control program in PHC. Disease surveillance of tuberculosis need reevaluation. |
