Factors Contributing towards Loss to Follow Up among Tuberculosis Patients in Sabah

Abstract

Introduction

Sabah is a high tuberculosis (TB) burden area with incidence rate of 120 – 138 per 100,000 population. Until now, TB is still unable to control due to high loss to follow up rates. Loss to follow up TB treatment can cause to increase notification rate, prolonged infection, recurrent TB infections, increase multiple drug-resistance, and increase morbidity and mortality rates. To know the factors that contribute towards loss to follow up will better understand the epidemiology of treatment outcome and guide for appropriate strategies planning to improve the situation. Previous study by Liew et al. indicated that, incidence rate for loss to follow up in 2012 in Malaysia was 10.5%.