These findings are probably an underestimate of the magnitude of the problem worldwide as the countries surveyed had better TB control than average. Resistance to tuberculosis drugs is probably present everywhere in the world. Correlation of prevalence of drug resistance with TB control policy and activities . An important finding of the study was the higher prevalence of MDR-TB in countries categorised by WHO as having poor control programmes. The use of standardised short-course chemotherapy regimens, on the other hand, was associated with lower levels of drug resistance.
Drug resistance is ubiquitous.
The Global Project found it in all countries surveyed. The levels of resistance to INH are high, and continued failure to improve TB control will fuel multidrug resistance. They include Latvia, Estonia and Russia in the former USSR, the Dominican Republic and Argentina in the Americas, and Ivory Coast in Africa. Urgent intervention is needed in these areas. There is a strong correlation between both the overall quality of TB control and use of standardised short course chemotherapy and low levels of drug resistance.