Find in Library

Introduction: Strict monitoring of anti tuberculosis therapy (ATT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for proper management of TB/HIV co-infected patients. Methods: Between December 2006 and December 2008 a prospective observational study was conducted among 135 TB/HIV co-infected patients visiting antiretroviral therapy in Seti Zonal Hospital, Dhangadi. The diagnosed TB patients were subjected to ATT through directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) and its response was evaluated as per WHO guidelines. Results: Among 135 studied subjects, 71.9% were males and over 88 % of the patients were in the age group 21 to 50. Of the Total TB cases 68.1% presented pulmonary TB (PTB) and 37.20% of the Extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) cases were lymph node TB. 75.5% of them had completed ATT, 8.2% transfer out and 12.6% were default. Conclusions: Majority of the patients presented PTB, and lymph node TB was found to be the most common EPTB. Comparatively, high efficacy of ATT was found in HIV patients visiting this resource poor setting. Key words: antiretroviral therapy; anti TB therapy; Dhangadi; lymph node T; treatment response.