Social determinants influence health and the development of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). However, a paucity of data is available considering the relationship of social determinants influencing therapy failure and multi drug resistance (MDR). A review was therefore conducted to investigate the relationship of common social determinants on therapy failure and MDR in people with TB.
Fifty studies were conducted in Asia, Europe and Africa with a total of 407,555 participants with TB. Analysis demonstrated that low income, low education, and alcohol abuse were associated with therapy failure for TB. Similarly, these factors also influence MDR in TB.