Survival Analysis and Associated Risk Factors of Tuberculosis In-Hospital Patients ’ Death in Hawassa City and at Yirgalem Town Health Centers

A prospective cohort study was conducted on 202 tuberculosis (TB) in-hospital patients who were treated in Hawassa University referral hospital and Adare and Millennium health centers in Hawassa city and in Yirgalem hospital at Yirgalem town to determine the survival rate and the risk factors associated with TB in-hospital patients’ death after properly followed-up for six months; from December, 2012 to May, 2013. Of the 202 registered patients, 190 (94.1%) survived the entire follow-up period. The general mortality rate was 1.02 per 100 person-months (12.3/100 person-years observation per annum) for the cohort. Of the 12 patients who died, 58.3% died within 2 months of the start of treatment. The survival probability in the sixth month was 100% while the cumulative survival probability at the end of the treatment period was 94%. Tuberculosis patients who followed up their treatment at Adare health center, Millennium health center and Hawassa University referral hospital were respectively73%, 62% and 38% less likely to die compared with those who followed up their anti-TB treatment at Yirgalem health center. Tuberculosis patients who had middle and low income were respectively90% and 87% less likely to die compared with those who had high socio-economic level. The result of this study revealed that of the TB patients who died in this study, 58.3% died within 2 months of the start of treatment while the entire patients survived in the sixth month warranted early diagnosis and the start of the appropriate treatment. Moreover, improved health service coverage should be required in the health centers in which high TB in-hospital patients’ death have been reported.