Impact of diabetes on the treatment of TB patients in Khomas region, Namibia.

Abstract

Tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus are public health challenges globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global report on diabetes reiterated that diabetes is a well-known risk factor for tuberculosis (TB) and that diabetes is associated with poor tuberculosis treatment outcomes, while tuberculosis is linked with deteriorating glycemic control. Namibia is among the top 30 high TB burden countries in the world (WHO, 2016) and added to that is the increasing prevalence of diabetes among women and men of about 6% and 7% respectively as reported by National Demographic Health Survey (MoHSS, 2013). The report further reiterated that the prevalence of diabetes differs among the geographical regions as well as according to gender. The same distribution is also noted on the prevalence of TB in Namibia. This may suggest a possible connection in the prevalence of diabetes among TB cases and vice versa, which will have implications on the management of both diseases. However, no current or past surveillance data is available on diabetes and TB comorbidities in Namibia to support policy and management strategies for comorbidities of these two diseases. This study therefore aimed to assess the prevalence of diabetes among TB patients in the Khomas region and established if diabetes and TB comorbidity influences the treatment outcomes of TB patients