Tuberculosis (TB), one of the ancient recorded human infection, is still one of the biggest killers among the infectious diseases, despite the worldwide use of a live attenuated vaccine and several antibiotics .TB is still posing a major health, social and economic burden at a global level and primarily in low and middle income countries. Tuberculosis in Saudi Arabia remains an important public health problem in spite of progressed living quality, presence of free antituberculosis medications as well as the application of BCG vaccination at birth.
Methodology
Retrospective data for the period between 2012 and 2016 (inclusive) were reviewed, and 122 records of cases of confirmed TB patients were sampled from the TB registration system in Al Qunfudhah provincial database. All these patients were diagnosed and treated according to guidelines adopted by the national TB control programme. Standard WHO definitions were used to classify the TB treatment outcome. Descriptive table was used to explore the data and Chi squire test was used to investigate the association between nationality , age group, gender, HIV Test, type of TB , type of TB patient and treatment outcome.
Results
There was a highly significant difference in treatment outcome across the years of the study, nationality, HIV test, type of TB, type of TB patient; with p-value < 0.05. The number of recorded PTB cases in the Al Qunfudhah Province increased during the period under review, with the increase attributed mainly to new cases. The males were apparently more vulnerable to contract TB than females. The rate of completed treatment and cure outcomes was relatively acceptable, particularly among children aged between less than 10 years; however, the number of deaths and default rates were unacceptably higher. PTB in Al Qunfudah Province is mainly a disease of the economically active population that accounted for most of the patients, most of the new cases, and most of those with poor treatment outcomes with high treatment failure rates and many deaths.
Conclusion
The consistent reporting of a moderate rate of TB in the last 10 years in Saudi Arabia highlights the need to exert more attention to its control and management. The increasing mortality rate among the Saudi population, in contract to the steady state in the immigrants population, is a serious concern. The influx of millions of immigrant workers and pilgrims has a very high impact on TB transmission and the phylogeography of the causative agent. The poor implementation of control programs and failure to attain the WHO's global target shows the need for more vigorous strategies to be introduced and followed. The introduction and implementation of modern technologies and new research focal points are crucial, particularly analysis of population-based factors.