Qualitative study on risk factors for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Hangzhou

Objective To determine the risk factors for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Hangzhou. Methods Interview of related people and data collection were conducted, and software Mindmanager 9.1.157 was used to construct the correlation diagram between risk factors and multi drug resistant TB. Results First-level factors included irregular drug taking and incorrect treatment therapy. Second-Level factors included adverse effects, fail to take drug, treatment interruption, psychological factor, non-standard therapy, delay in getting test results. Third-level factors included quality and type of anti TB drug, doctors skill, lack of knowledge (information), unsatisfied performance of supervisors, poverty, inconvenience in medical care seeking. Some third-level factors can be classified into fourth-level and fifth-level factors. Levels of code only represent the location of risk factors in correlation diagram and do not reflect importance of the risk factors. Conclusion The incidence of multi-drug resistant TB in Hangzhou are influenced by many factors, such as social welfare system, social discrimination, wage system and medical care system, limits in medical treatment and detection, quality and type of anti TB drug, it is necessary to strengthen the multi-sectoral coordination to control multi-drug resistant TB.