Factors associated with Tuberculosis lost to follow-up Among Individuals in Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape Province, 2019 – 2022 (A retrospective cohort study)
1
Health, Gorvenment Department, Eastern Cape, South Africa
2
School of Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Factors associated with Tuberculosis lost to follow-up Among Individuals in Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape Province, 2019 – 2022 ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Tuberculosis is a treatable infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an airborne bacterium spreading from person to person. Tuberculosis remains a major global health concern and South Africa has highest incidence. Tuberculosis control is hampered by lost to follow-up and low adherence to treatment. Tuberculosis lost to follow-up has never been described in Buffalo-City Metro, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The aim of this study was to estimate proportion of lost to follow-up and identify associated risk factors.
METHODS:
The retrospective cohort study was conducted using the secondary data from the Tier.net system. Descriptive statistics were used to report epidemiological findings. The Poisson Regression model was used to determine risk factors for lost to follow-up.
RESULTS:
A total of 1969 (14.8%) were tuberculosis lost to follow-up. Of which 1801 (91.4%) had pulmonary tuberculosis, males accounted for 1432 (72.7%), 749 had human immunodeficiency virus, 673 were on antiretroviral therapy, and median age was 40 (IQR: 31-47 years). The 30-44 and 45-59 years accounted for 939 (47.7%) and 471 (23.9%) respectively. Being on antiretroviral therapy (aIRR:0.80, 95% CI: 0.721- 0.890, p<0.000), age: 30-44 years (aIRR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.787-0.992, p-value = 0.037), and new tuberculosis case (aIRR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.53 – 3.137, p < 0.000) were associated with lower probability of tuberculosis lost to follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS:
Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most frequently diagnosed tuberculosis. Almost half of the mostly affected and diagnosed tuberculosis cases were males from East London, and were from 30-44 years. Key interventions focusing on male patients, aged 30-44 and 45-59, and new tuberculosis cases be prioritised to eliminate the disproportionate tuberculosis burden. Keywords: Retrospective cohort studies, Tuberculosis, lost to follow-up, risk factors, male, aged, adult, patient dropout.
Factors associated with Tuberculosis lost to follow-up Among Individuals in Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape Province, 2019 – 2022 ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Tuberculosis is a treatable infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an airborne bacterium spreading from person to person. Tuberculosis remains a major global health concern and South Africa has highest incidence. Tuberculosis control is hampered by lost to follow-up and low adherence to treatment. Tuberculosis lost to follow-up has never been described in Buffalo-City Metro, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The aim of this study was to estimate proportion of lost to follow-up and identify associated risk factors.
METHODS:
The retrospective cohort study was conducted using the secondary data from the Tier.net system. Descriptive statistics were used to report epidemiological findings. The Poisson Regression model was used to determine risk factors for lost to follow-up.
RESULTS:
A total of 1969 (14.8%) were tuberculosis lost to follow-up. Of which 1801 (91.4%) had pulmonary tuberculosis, males accounted for 1432 (72.7%), 749 had human immunodeficiency virus, 673 were on antiretroviral therapy, and median age was 40 (IQR: 31-47 years). The 30-44 and 45-59 years accounted for 939 (47.7%) and 471 (23.9%) respectively. Being on antiretroviral therapy (aIRR:0.80, 95% CI: 0.721- 0.890, p<0.000), age: 30-44 years (aIRR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.787-0.992, p-value = 0.037), and new tuberculosis case (aIRR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.53 – 3.137, p < 0.000) were associated with lower probability of tuberculosis lost to follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS:
Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most frequently diagnosed tuberculosis. Almost half of the mostly affected and diagnosed tuberculosis cases were males from East London, and were from 30-44 years. Key interventions focusing on male patients, aged 30-44 and 45-59, and new tuberculosis cases be prioritised to eliminate the disproportionate tuberculosis burden. Keywords: Retrospective cohort studies, Tuberculosis, lost to follow-up, risk factors, male, aged, adult, patient dropout.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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