title: Drug resistance profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and factors associated with drug resistance in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance continues to be a major obstacle to tuberculosis (TB) control programmes with HIV being a major risk factor in developing TB. We investigated anti-TB drug resistance profiles and the impact of socioeconomic as well as behavioural factors on the prevalence of TB and drug resistance in two regions of Cameroon with such data paucity.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a hospital-based study in which 1706 participants, comprising 1133 females and 573 males consecutively enrolled from selected TB and HIV treatment centres of the Northwest and Southwest regions. Demographic, clinical and self-reported risk behaviours and socioeconomic data were obtained with the consent of participants using questionnaires. Culture and drug resistance testing were performed according to standard procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of resistance to at least one anti-TB drug was 27.7% and multi-drug resistance was 5.9%. Smoking, concurrent alcohol consumption and smoking, being on antiretroviral therapy for ≤ 12 months and previous household contact with TB patient were independently associated with tuberculosis prevalence, while only previous tuberculosis infection was associated with drug resistance in a univariate analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed a high prevalence of drug resistance TB in the study population with only previous TB infection associated with drug resistance in a univariate analysis. It also provides evidence in our context, of the role of alcohol and smoking in increasing the risk of developing TB, which is more likely in people living with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, it is important for public health authorities to integrate and intensify alcohol/smoking abstention interventions in TB and HIV control programs in Cameroon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon ; Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Southwest region, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Henry D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Meriki
authors.forename: Kukwah A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Tufon
authors.forename: Pascal N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Atanga
authors.forename: Irene N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Ane-Anyangwe
authors.forename: Damian N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Anong
authors.forename: Fidelis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cho-Ngwa
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nkuo-Akenji
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D060085:Coinfection; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents