Multidrug‐resistant TB in Z ambia: review of national data from 2000 to 2011

Background Multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis ( MDR ‐ TB ) is posing a great threat to global TB control. The burden in Z ambia is not well defined because routine surveillance data are scarce. We reviewed national MDR ‐ TB data for the last decade to inform future public health policy with respect to MDR ‐ TB in Z ambia. Method Retrospective review of national surveillance of MDR ‐ TB data, TB programme and laboratory reports between 2000 and 2011. Results The total number of DST s performed during this 11‐year period was 2 038 and accounted for 2.6% (2 038/78 639) of all the retreatment cases notified. The total number of diagnosed MDR ‐ TB cases for this period was 446, of which 56.3% (251/446) were male and 41.7% (186/446) female. Only one child was found to have MDR ‐ TB . Poly‐drug resistance accounted for 18.9% (172/911) of the DR ‐ TB cases and 8.4% of the total DST s. 8.8% (80/911) of the DR ‐ TB cases showed either rifampicin mono‐ or poly‐resistance other than MDR ‐ TB . No XDR ‐ TB was reported. There were no data available on DR ‐ TB and HIV co‐infection. Only 65 MDR ‐ TB patients were notified and put on second‐line treatment according to WHO guidelines. Conclusions Multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis may be an emerging challenge in Z ambia. There is a need to invest in improving the capacity of the TB programme to detect and manage MDR ‐ TB .