Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in Nepal. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains are serious threats to the control of TB and comprise an increasing public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-tuberculosis drug resistance pattern among TB patients visiting German Nepal Tuberculosis Project (GENETUP) by using proportion method. The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried from November 2010 to June 2011. During the study period, 112 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients attending GENETUP were included in the study. Of a total of 112 culture positive isolates, 96 were from re-treatment cases and 16 were from new cases. Among the culture positive cases, the highest number of culture positive cases belonged to the age group of 21-30 years (36.7%) followed by 11-20 years (14.3%). Out of total tested cases, the patients sensitive to all four drugs were found to be 37.5 % (n=42). The patients that showed resistance to only one drug was found to be 3.6% (n=4) and resistance to two drugs 26.8% (n=30). Similarly, resistance to three drugs was found to be 22.4 % (n=25) and resistance to all four drugs was 9.9 % (n=11) among both cases. Regular monitoring of acquired MDR-TB patients and revising anti-tuberculosis treatment policy should be made at the national level representative for controlling tuberculosis. This method can be used for the early diagnosis and control of MDR-TB in developing countries including Nepal.
Keywords:Multi-drug resistant, Tuberculosis, GENETUP, Nepal