Rates and Reasons for Relapse of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Adults — “Case of the MUYA Urban Health Zone”
Authors: Tshiteku Kaboto Bonheur , Kahia Kahia Alex , Bukasa Jean Christophe , Tshibangu Lukusa Claude , Kazadi Mukendi André 
Published: February 2024

_INTRODUCTION: _This study aimed to contribute to reducing the rate of tuberculosis relapse among adults in the MUYA Urban Health Zone.

_METHODOLOGY: _In this study, we used a quantitative design. This is a cross-sectional study on a cohort of cured tuberculosis patients, which was carried out in the MUYA Urban Health Zone during the period from December 1 to 31, 2022. We chose the Urban Health Zone of MUYA because it is one of the Health Zones that records cases of tuberculosis, and it is among those that fight against this disease.

The population studied is made up of a series of people who suffered from tuberculosis (all forms combined) and who completed their therapeutic regimen according to the current approach, and who, at the end of the latter, were declared cured by the CSDT. Considering the period considered in this study, our population amounts to 143 subjects. This population is also our sample.

In this study, we used the cross-sectional survey method supported by the questionnaire, which allowed us to collect information from patients only once. To collect the data for the study, we used a questionnaire designed according to the variables, which consisted of asking questions to the study subjects.

_RESULTS:_ Patients who relapsed with tuberculosis represented a rate of 38%. It appears that the reasons for relapse: age (p=0.0511), being able to make ends meet with one's income (p=0.0008), and a balanced diet (p=0.0001), have a statistically significant relationship with relapse to tuberculosis. According to our tests, the older the age, the more the relapse to BCT decreases. Those who cannot make ends meet relapse strongly to BBT. It is the same with the unbalanced diet, which increases the probability of relapse to BCT. Furthermore, for the other factors, the differences are not significant because the p-values are all above the threshold of 0.05. So the differences in numbers are a coincidence.

Organizational motives did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship with BCT relapse. The p-values are all above the threshold of 0.05. So the differences in numbers are a coincidence.

Concerning the reasons linked to the patient (p = 0.0121), only the fact of smoking during treatment demonstrated its probability of influencing relapse in BCT.

As for treatment, the probability of relapsing with BCT decreases with non-compliance with the medication schedule (p=0.0541). The differences observed in compliance with the dosage are not significant.

_CONCLUSION: _Tuberculosis is a disease linked to poverty. It is experienced endemically throughout the world and is responsible for much human suffering in terms of morbidity and mortality. It is the leading cause of death for people suffering from HIV, while HIV infection constitutes the most important risk factor for the development of tuberculosis disease.

The consequences of poor compliance with treatment are serious for the individual and for the community: relapse, prolongation of the period of contagiousness, and the development of multi-resistant strains.