Magnitude of Tuberculosis, its associated risk factors, Rifampicin resistance, and multi- drug resistance rate among TB presumptive patients at five selected Public Hospitals, Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, 2025. Retrospective cross-sectional study

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2022, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with TB worldwide. Emergency of Rifampicin and multi-Drug resistance (RR/MDR) has posed greater public health threat on control and prevention of TB. Ethiopia is among the top 30 high TB burden countries. Objective To assess the Magnitude of Tuberculosis, its associated risk factors, Rifampicin resistance (RR), and Multi-drug resistance (MDR) rate among TB suspected patients in Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, 2025. Methods Institution based retrospective cross-sectional study design was employed from May 10, to June 05, 2025. Total of 460 patient’s cards and registration logs from July - December 2024 were recruited. Systematic random sampling technique was employed. Retrospective card review and registers was done. Data were collected using pre-structured checklist. The data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6, exported to and analyzed in SPSS version 25. Bivariate and multi-variable logistic regression analysis was performed to measure the association between dependent and independent variables. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result The overall magnitude of TB among TB presumptive patients was 20.2%(95%CI:16–23%) (93/460). It was higher among male patients (24.3%), patients aged between 16–30 years (27.1%) and patients with history of TB contact (24.4%). Among the TB confirmed patients, 10.8% (95%CI: 7.9–13.6%), (10/93), were resistant to any first line anti-TB drugs. Rifampicin resistance rate was 10.8%( 95%CI: 7.9–13.6%) while MDR rate was 4.3%( 95%CI: 2.4–5.2%). RR/MDR rate was higher among previously treated TB patients; 12%(6/50). Being male, AOR (95%CI): 1.89(1.1–3.14, p = 0.012), and having history TB contact; AOR (95%CI):1.8(1.1–2.9, p = 0.02), were statistically associated with Tuberculosis Conclusion The magnitude of TB was 20.2% indicating higher TB incidence in the region. The overall drug resistance rate was 10.8%; of this, RR and MDR rates were 10.8%, and 4.3% respectively. Male sex and having history of TB contact were statistically associated with TB. Early laboratory diagnosis using WHO recommended rapid molecular tests, Improving and monitoring of early Treatment initiation, scaling up of TB specimen referral linkage to where rapid molecular diagnostics tests are accessible are recommended to limit the spread of the disease and an emergency of Drug resistance.