[Factors associated with non-conversion of the direct smear after the initial phase of anti-tuberculous treatment. A study undertaken in three tuberculosis management centres in South Benin].

The objective of this work was to describe the profile of routinely managed tuberculosis patients whose sputum smear did not become negative after the initial phase of anti-tuberculous treatment and to analyze the factors associated with this. With this aim a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive and analytical study was carried out in a population of adults with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) between 2013 and 2014 in three cities in southern Benin (Cotonou, Porto-Novo and Abomey). The data of the patients who did not convert (PTB +) were compared with those who did (PTB-). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. In 1989 (94%) of the cases, 305 (15.3%) were TPB+ with significant differences between the cities. The mean age was 38±13 years vs 34±12 years, respectively, for PTB+and PTB -, P=0.091. At the end of the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with non-conversion were: high bacillary load (≥10 AFB/microscopic field) at diagnosis, HIV+status, and adverse outcome at the end of anti-tuberculous treatment. These patients should be monitored carefully.