Evaluation of Antituberculosis Drug Use Patterns at a DOTS Centre in Bauchi State

Directly Observed Treatment Short-course is the WHO-recommended strategy for tuberculosis management, and monitoring drug use patterns within DOTS programmes is essential for treatment success. This study evaluated antituberculosis drug use patterns and treatment outcomes at a DOTS centre in Bauchi, Bauchi State, North East Nigeria. A retrospective review of TB patient treatment cards and pharmacy dispensing records from January 2021 to December 2023 was conducted. Data were extracted for 280 patients including drug regimen received, adherence, treatment outcome, adverse drug reactions, and risk factors for non-adherence. Results showed a treatment success rate of 72.1 percent, below the WHO target of 85 percent. Loss to follow-up accounted for 14.6 percent of poor outcomes and treatment failure for 8.9 percent. First-line drug regimen prescribing was largely guideline-concordant, with 94.6 percent of new cases receiving the recommended two-month intensive phase and four-month continuation phase. Adverse drug reactions were documented in 22.1 percent of patients, with hepatotoxicity being the most common. Patients with HIV co-infection had significantly lower treatment success rates (62.1 percent versus 78.4 percent in HIV-negative patients). The study recommends enhanced counselling at regimen commencement, nutritional support for TB-HIV co-infected patients, and regular DOTS supervisor training to address the loss-to-follow-up challenge in North East Nigeria.

Keywords: tuberculosis, antituberculosis drugs, DOTS programme, Bauchi State, treatment outcomes