Outcomes and Challenges in the Programmatic Implementation of Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy among Household Contacts of Pulmonary TB Patients: A Mixed-Methods Study from a Rural District of Karnataka, India.
Trop Med Infect Dis
; 8(12)2023 Nov 30.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38133444
ABSTRACT
The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) of India is implementing tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) for all household contacts (HHCs) of pulmonary tuberculosis patients (index patients) aged <5 years and those HHCs aged >5 years with TB infection (TBI). We conducted an explanatory mixed-methods study among index patients registered in the Kolar district, Karnataka during April-December 2022, to assess the TPT cascade and explore the early implementation challenges for TPT provision. Of the 301 index patients, contact tracing home visits were made in 247 (82.1%) instances; a major challenge was index patients' resistance to home visits fearing stigma, especially among those receiving care from the private sector. Of the 838 HHCs, 765 (91.3%) were screened for TB; the challenges included a lack of clarity on HHC definition and the non-availability of HHCs during house visits. Only 400 (57.8%) of the 692 eligible HHCs underwent an IGRA test for TBI; the challenges included a shortage of IGRA testing logistics and the perceived low risk among HHCs. As HHCs were unaware of their IGRA results, a number of HHCs actually eligible for TPT could not be determined. Among the 83 HHCs advised of the TPT, 81 (98%) initiated treatment, of whom 63 (77%) completed treatment. Though TPT initiation and completion rates are appreciable, the NTEP needs to urgently address the challenges in contact identification and IGRA testing.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Contexto em Saúde:
1_ASSA2030
/
2_ODS3
/
3_ND
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Trop Med Infect Dis
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article