Detection and Frequency of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Rifampicin Resistance Among Patients Attending the National TB Control Program in Sana'a, Yemen Using Xpert- MTB/RIF Assay

Abstract Background Tuberculosis persists as the primary cause of illness and death globally and remains a significant public health issue. Multidrug resistant tuberculosis epidemic poses a significant threat to international and national tuberculosis control initiatives. The study sought to assess the frequency of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and rifampicin resistance in patients attending the National Tuberculosis Control Program, using the Xpert-MTB/RIF assay. Methods A large-scale cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 8896 clinical samples of suspected tuberculosis patients between 2019 to 2021. Samples were examined using the Zeil Neelsen stain and GeneXpert assay. Factors associated were identified using the chi-square and logistic regression. Multiple logistic regression was employed to find variables in binary logistic regression that were associated significantly at the P value ≤ 0.05 level. Results The frequency of MTB was 6.1%, with 9.1% having rifampicin resistant-MTB. MTB prevalence was significantly higher among those aged 16–30 years ( P < 0.003). Patients from the Taiz governorate were significantly more likely to have MTB ( P < 0.003). Old cases of TB patients, previously treated patients, were associated significantly to MTB ( P < 0.040) and were highly likely to have RR-MTB ( P < 0.031). Conclusion Patients who had previously received treatment for tuberculosis had a higher prevalence of MTB and rifampicin resistant-MTB. Thus, it is critical to implement effective control and prevention measures to limit the spread of TB, as well as improving the adherence of known TB patients to their treatment.