Title: the Effect of Initial Smear Grading Amoung Tuberculosis patients on Their treatment Outcome

The incidence rate of smear positive tuberculosis in the country in 2010 was about 7 in the hundred thousand populations. Cure rate and failure rate have great importance in preventing the resistant tuberculosis. This study surveyed Relationship between initial smear grading with cure rate.

All new smear positive cases registered from March 2005 to May 2010 were analysed for cure and conversion to negative smear related to initial smear grading.

From 354 Sm+ patients 276(78%) at the end of second month of treatment were Sm- and 52(14/7%) were Sm+. at the endof treatment cure rate was 79/7% and Relationship between initial smear grading with cure rate and conversion to negative smear in new Sm+ patients was statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, lower cure rate was significantly associated with age >45y and Initial smear 2+ and 3+ and remain smear positive at the end of the second month of treatment.

The more treatment failure and death from TB or emergence of resistant TB related to less negative smear rate at the end of two months of starting treatment and more patients that have initial smear 2+ & 3+, are from this group. This reiterates the need to pay more attention in motivating these patients to return to regular treatment and sustained commitment in the control of tuberculosis.