Table 2 Factors associated with sputum smear conversion in East Gojjam zone, Ethiopia, 2019 (n = 268)

Age in years

15–35

0.96 (0.59–1.55)

0.68 (0.35–1.42)

> 35

1

1

Sex

Male

0.97 (0.60–1.58)

1.35 (0.26–2.15)

Female

1

1

Residence

Rural

0.75 (0.46–1.23)

0.41 (0.15–1.08)

Urban

1

1

Education level

Cannot read and write

0.86 (0.53–1.42)

1.58 (0.32–2.71)

Can read and write

1

1

Marital status

Single

0.79 (0.49–1.28)

0.48 (0.23–1.12)

In union

1

1

Prior TB history

Yes

0.85 (0.46–1.54)

0.52 (0.22–1.29)

No

1

1

Body mass index

≤ 18 kg/m²

2.30 (1.32–3.93)

2.01 (1.31–3.85)

> 18 kg/m²

1

1

Duration of cough

≤ 14 days

1.42 (0.77–2.63)

0.86 (0.58–2.15)

> 14 days

1

1

Smear grading

< 2+

0.49 (0.29–0.81)

0.46 (0.21–0.73)

≥ 2+

1

1

HIV status

Positive

2.61 (1.28–5.32)

2.38 (1.20–4.91)

Negative

1

1

Having DM

Yes

2.31 (1.21–4.42)

2.11 (1.18–4.20)

No

1

1

Knowledge on TB

Good

0.47 (0.29–0.78)

0.44 (0.23–0.69)

Poor

1

1

Cigarette smoking

Yes

2.20 (1.25–4.01)

1.96 (1.20–3.82)

No

1

1

Taking alcohol

Yes

1.05 (0.61–1.81)

0.82 (0.48–1.58)

No

1

1

Faced stigma

Yes

2.20 (1.33–3.64)

2.0 (1.26–3.52)

No

1

1

Length of TB service delay

< 82 days

0.33 (0.21–0.55)

0.35 (0.23–0.64)

≥ 82 days

1

1