Magnitude of Tuberculosis, drug resistance patterns and associated factors among presumptive TB patients at five selected public Hospitals, Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia. Retrospective cross-sectional study

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2024, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with Tuberculosis worldwide. Emergence of Rifampicin and multi-Drug resistance has posed greater public health threat on control and prevention of TB. Ethiopia is among the top 30 high Tuberculosis burden countries. To determine the Magnitude of Tuberculosis, drug resistance patterns and associated factors among presumptive Tuberculosis patients in Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, 2025. Institution based retrospective cross-sectional study design was employed from May 10, to June 10, 2025. Total of 460 patient’s cards and registration logs from July - December 2024 were recruited and selected using systematic random sampling technique. Retrospective card review and registers was done. Data were collected using pre-structured checklist. The data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6, exported to and analyzed in SPSS version 25. Bivariate and multi-variable logistic regression analysis was performed to measure the association between dependent and independent variables. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The overall magnitude of Tuberculosis among presumptive TB patients was 20.2%(95%CI: 16–23%) (93/460). It was higher among male patients (24.3%), patients aged between 16 and 30 years (27.1%) and patients with history of TB contact (24.4%). Among the TB confirmed patients, 10.8% (95%CI: 7.9–13.6%), (10/93), were resistant to any first line anti-TB drugs. Magnitude of Rifampicin resistance and multi-drug resistance was 10.8%(95%CI: 7.9–13.6%) and 4.3%(95%CI: 2.4–5.2%) respectively. Drug resistance was higher among previously treated TB patients; 12%(6/50). Being male, AOR (95%CI): 1.89(1.1–3.14, p = 0.012), and having history TB contact; AOR (95%CI):1.8(1.1–2.9, p = 0.02) were statistically associated with Tuberculosis. The magnitude of TB was higher in the study sites. The overall prevalence of drug resistance was also higher; especially previously treated patients. Male sex and having history of TB contact were statistically associated with TB. Early laboratory diagnosis, improving early Treatment initiation and monitoring, and scaling up of TB specimen referral linkage to rapid molecular diagnostics tests sites are highly recommended. Not applicable.