Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Developing and Developed Countries: A Study of GNI per capita, Human Development Index and the incidence of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis

This paper explores the factors contributing to Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in developing and developed countries. Existing studies indicated that low income and low human development factors contribute to widespread antimicrobial resistance in developing countries. Such factors are examined in depth by performing statistical measures on a sample size of 171 countries from recent data provided by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme. First, the relationship between Gross National Income (GNI) per capita and incidence of MDR-TB was tested and a strong correlation was not found. Second, the Human Development Index and incidence of MDR-TB are researched and a strong correlation was not found. The findings of this study indicate that despite the perception that a low income and human development index are among the main causes of antimicrobial resistance, underdevelopment and poverty may not play as large of a role in antimicrobial resistance as originally thought. Thus, policies aiming to combat antimicrobial resistance cannot group countries based on their level of development or income – there are several other factors that must be accounted for. Policies tailored to individual countries and their existing antimicrobial environment is recommended to combat antimicrobial resistance.