Understanding and Trends in Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Ukraine in Recent Years

Annotation. Tuberculosis has remained a major public health challenge in Ukraine since the 1990s. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the incidence of tuberculosis in Ukraine has decreased significantly in recent years — by 37%. According to the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, in 2024, the number of newly registered tuberculosis (TB) cases, including relapses, totaled 18,140 (or 44.2 per 100,000 population), which is 8.7% lower than the 2023 figure (19,851, or 48.4 per 100,000). In the Vinnytsia region, the incidence rate was 47.7 per 100,000 as of the end of 2024. Of particular concern is the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). The purpose of the work is to inform doctors of all specialties about the problem of drug-resistant tuberculosis, to remind them of the timely organization of the detection and diagnosis of these forms, since doctors of different specialties may encounter such patients. The search for data on the topic was carried out in the scientometric databases Cochrane Library and Google Scholar with a time limit of 20 years. The criteria for inclusion in the review were: the presence of statistical data processing, clear criteria for sample formation and its sufficient volume, Orders of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Thus, 10 sources were included from the processed materials. Particular concern is caused by the spread of DR-TB. As of January 2025, 271 cases of drug-resistant TB were identified in Ukraine. These forms pose a significant challenge to the healthcare system due to the length and complexity of treatment. Managing drug-resistant TB requires more expensive and prolonged therapeutic regimens. Despite the fact that the tuberculosis epidemic in Ukraine is currently in a stabilization phase, the situation with drug-resistant tuberculosis needs to be better. Additionally, the social stigma associated with tuberculosis often prevents patients from seeking timely care or adhering to treatment protocols. Since most patients with tuberculosis are now required to receive treatment on an outpatient basis, the likelihood of irresponsible medication use or interruption of treatment increases, which creates the risk of developing resistant forms. In this regard, the role of health education among patients is increasing.