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The quality of tuberculosis diagnosis in districts of Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia
Abstract
Background: Low detection of smear-positive and over-diagnosis of smear-negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) are major problems in Ethiopia. Non-adherence to diagnostic guidelines could be contributing to the poor detection of tuberculosis.
Objective: To assess the quality of diagnosis based on the national tuberculosis guidelines.
Methods: A retrospective diagnostic audit was made in eight districts among patients aged 815 years that were on TB treatment between 12/10/2001 and 15/05/2002. A team of three physicians reviewed patient charts, sputum microscopy and radiograph registers to assess diagnostic criteria used to each patient.
Results: A total of 237 patients were reviewed: 42 were smear-positive, 101 were smear-negative PTB and 94 were extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnosis was considered correct in 33 of the 42 smear-positive PTB patients and incorrect in 9 patients. Of 101 smear-negative PTB patients, 31 (31%) were diagnosed as per the national diagnostic guideline. In more than half of patients treated for lymph node tuberculosis their
diagnosis was inconsistent with the national diagnostic guideline.
Conclusion: Non-adherence to the national guidelines is a major problem in district hospitals. This calls for action to promote clinicians' adherence to the national diagnostic guidelines.
The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 19 2005: 13-20
Objective: To assess the quality of diagnosis based on the national tuberculosis guidelines.
Methods: A retrospective diagnostic audit was made in eight districts among patients aged 815 years that were on TB treatment between 12/10/2001 and 15/05/2002. A team of three physicians reviewed patient charts, sputum microscopy and radiograph registers to assess diagnostic criteria used to each patient.
Results: A total of 237 patients were reviewed: 42 were smear-positive, 101 were smear-negative PTB and 94 were extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnosis was considered correct in 33 of the 42 smear-positive PTB patients and incorrect in 9 patients. Of 101 smear-negative PTB patients, 31 (31%) were diagnosed as per the national diagnostic guideline. In more than half of patients treated for lymph node tuberculosis their
diagnosis was inconsistent with the national diagnostic guideline.
Conclusion: Non-adherence to the national guidelines is a major problem in district hospitals. This calls for action to promote clinicians' adherence to the national diagnostic guidelines.
The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 19 2005: 13-20
