Trends of mortality among patients on treatment of tuberculosis in Oshikoto Region, Namibia, 2011-2015

Introduction : tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health concern worldwide. Even in the time of effective chemotherapy, TB still accounts for a substantial number of deaths annually. There were an estimated 12 million TB cases globally, including 8.6 million new cases, and 1.3 million fatal cases. Namibia Notified 488 cases per 100000 population with 4% fatalities in 2013. The World Health Organization’s Global Plan to Stop TB 2006-2015 proposes that countries cut TB mortality by half compared to 1990 rates. This study aimed to describe TB mortality in Oshikoto from January 2011 to December 2015 and determine progress towards the WHO’s 2015 target for TB mortality reduction. Methods : we conducted a retrospective descriptive study. Data from 2011-2015 were extracted from TB surveillance system (ETR). We reviewed TB cases who were on Treatment between 2011 and 2015. We created a line list and exported to Epi info to generate proportion and frequencies by sex, age and length of stay on treatment. Chi square was used and p-value ( Results : a total of 3422 TB patients reported out of which 212 (16.14%) fatalities were recorded. Of these, 37 deaths were recorded in 2011(5.34), 30(4.73%) in 2012, 42(6.79%) in 2013, 67(6.80) in 2014, and 36(9.23%) in 2015. Their mean age was 45years, (SD 19.5) and ranged from 0-95years. Most deaths were observed among patients aged 35-44 (22.6%) and 25-34 (22.6), compared to other age groups (p=0.02). Of the 212 deaths recorded, 48(38%) died within 30 days after treatment initiation and only 7(3%) patients died between 120 and 150 days of treatment initiation. Male accounted for 58% deaths, but difference observed was not significant in comparison to female who died while on TB treatment (p = 0.9). Conclusion : deaths due to TB declined from 2011 to 2015. Majority of TB death succumbed within 30 days of their treatment. The CFR declined toward 2015 and if this trend continues, TB is likely to become an exceptional cause of death in Oshikoto. Further studies were recommended to investigate the risk factors for the death among TB patients.