Prevalence of Rifampicin resistance tuberculosis among presumptive tuberculosis patients in Egypt-2021: A National Health Facility-based Survey

Abstract Background : The magnitude of MDR-TB cases was noticeable in Egypt. However, the last national survey was 11-years ago. The current survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of rifampicin resistance among sputum smear-positive tuberculosis patients in Egypt. Methods: A national health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Egypt among presumptive tuberculosis (TB) cases during the period from August 2020 to September 2021. Rifampicin resistance (RR) was detected using the Gene X-pert MTB/RIF. The prevalence of RR was calculated using crude, cluster, and weighted methods. Factors associated with RR were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate techniques. Results: Among the total 849 presumptive TB patients enrolled in the study, 710 (83.6%) patients were subjected to Gene X-pert testing (MTB/RIF). The crude prevalence of RR was 3.32% (95% CI: 1.89-4.76%) among the new cases and 9.46% (95% CI: 2.63-16.29%) among the retreated cases with an overall estimate of 3.99%; (95% CI: 2.51- 5.47%). By cluster analysis the overall prevalence of RR was 5.01% (95% CI: 2.90–7.13). Factors associated with the prevalence of RR were co-morbidity with bronchial asthma, drug abuse and history of contact with a family member with TB. Conclusion: The prevalence of RR among either new or retreated cases TB patients was lower than the previous rates in 2010-2012. The strongest predictor associated with RR was comorbidity with bronchial asthma.