A retrospective analysis of two-month sputum smear non-conversion in new sputum smear positive tuberculosis patients in the Free State Province, South Africa
Nanteza Gladys Kigozi | kigozign@ufs.ac.za	Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, South Africa.
Perpetual Chikobvu Department of Community Health, University of the Free State; Free State Department of Health, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
James Christoffel Heunis Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, South Africa.
Sonja van der Merwe Free State Department of Health, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Little is known about the drivers of twomonth sputum smear non-conversion in the South African context. Our study sought to determine these factors in new sputum smear positive tuberculosis (TB) patients in South Africa's Free State Province. A retrospective record review was conducted for all TB patients on treatment between 2003 and 2009. Twomonth sputum smear non-conversion was defined by a positive sputum smear result. Data was subjected to univariate, bivariate and regression analyses. Generalized linear regression models were used to estimate the risk for two-month sputum smear non-conversion. Age, pre-treatment sputum smear grading, HIV status and TB disease classification influenced two-month sputum smear non-conversion. Significant associations were thus established between health systems, microbiological, clinical and demographic factors, and two-month sputum smear non-conversion. This study provides program managers with evidence to support the development of more tailored TB care.
Nanteza Gladys Kigozi, Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State
Perpetual Chikobvu, Department of Community Health, University of the Free State; Free State Department of Health, Bloemfontein
James Christoffel Heunis, Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State
Sonja van der Merwe, Free State Department of Health, Bloemfontein
Manager: Technical & Clinical Support
tuberculosis, sputum smear non-conversion, Free State Province, South Africa.
Kigozi, N. G., Chikobvu, P., Heunis, J. C., & van der Merwe, S. (2014). A retrospective analysis of two-month sputum smear non-conversion in new sputum smear positive tuberculosis patients in the Free State Province, South Africa. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2014.324
Copyright (c) 2014 Nanteza Gladys Kigozi, Perpetual Chikobvu, James Christoffel Heunis, Sonja van der Merwe