Is distance associated with tuberculosis treatment outcomes? A retrospective cohort study in Kampala, Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Challenges accessing nearby health facilities may be a barrier to initiating and completing tuberculosis (TB) treatment. We aimed to evaluate whether distance from residence to health facility chosen for treatment is associated with TB treatment outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients initiating TB treatment at six health facilities in Kampala from 2014 to 2016. We investigated associations between distance to treating facility and unfavorable TB treatment outcomes (death, loss to follow up, or treatment failure) using multivariable Poisson regression.

Results

Unfavorable treatment outcomes occurred in 20% (339/1691) of TB patients. The adjusted relative risk (aRR) for unfavorable treatment outcomes (compared to treatment

SUBMITTER: Robsky KO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7291553 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature