ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS DRUG RESISTANCE IN ETHIOPIA: A MATA- ANALYSIS

Tuberculosis is one of the most dangers of health in the world. Ethiopia ranked seventh from the 22 high burden counties in the world. The main problem is development of resistance to the major anti-tuberculosis drugs actually increasing in Ethiopia. The aim was to review studies done on anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in Ethiopia. Literatures were searched for published articles on anti-tuberculosis drug resistance using the combination of terms; resistance, anti-tuberculosis and Ethiopia. Fifteen studies done in different parts of Ethiopia from 1978-2005 G.C were retrieved without restriction of place & design of study. The primary resistance of the fifteen studies done in various parts of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa, Harar, Bahir Dar, Sidamo, Arsi, and Hosanna) from1978-2005 G.C showed: Isoniazid (H) 1.9%-21.4%, Streptomycin (S) 1.9%-26%, Rifampicin (R) 0%-1.9%, Ethambutol (E) 0%-6.3%, Thiacetazone (T) 2.2%-6.3%, H+S 1.9%-26%, H+T 0%-4.4%, S+T 0%-1.8%, H+R 0%-1.1%, S+R 0%-0.7%, R+T 0%-0.4%, H+E 0%-0.9%, S+E 0%-0.6% ,H+S+T 0%-2.4%, H+S+R 0%-1.1%, H+T+R 0%-0.4%, H+S+E 0%-1.7%, R+H+T+S 0%-0.6% and Multi Drug Resistance 0%-1.3%.Acquired drug resistance: H 5.3%-66.7%, S 1.2%-46%, R 0%-12%, E 0%-5.6%, T0%-29%, H+T 0%-20%, H+S 4.8%- 28%, R+H 0%-8%, R+S 0%-3.5%, S+T 0%-2.3%, H+E 0%-3.6%, R+E 0%-5.6%, S+E 0%- 11.2%, H+S+T 0%-16%, R+S+T 0%-2.3% , R+S+H 0%-4%, H+S+E 0%-3.6%, H+R+E 0%- 3.6%, H+R+S+E 0%-14.3% and Multi Drug Resistance 0%-26.3%. It can be concluded that resistance to the anti-tuberculosis drugs is increasing. National level drug resistance survey is recommended to design policies and strategies to prevent increase of drug resistance. Key words: Resistance, tuberculosis, anti-tuberculosis drugs and Ethiopia