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Sekandi JN, McDonald A, Nakkonde D, Zalwango S, Kasiita V, Kaggwa P, Kakaire R, Atuyambe L, Buregyeya E. Acceptability, Usefulness, and Ease of Use of an Enhanced Video Directly Observed Treatment System for Supporting Patients With Tuberculosis in Kampala, Uganda: Explanatory Qualitative Study. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e46203. [PMID: 37948121 PMCID: PMC10674141 DOI: 10.2196/46203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In tuberculosis (TB) control, nonadherence to treatment persists as a barrier. The traditional method of ensuring adherence, that is, directly observed therapy, faces significant challenges that hinder its widespread adoption. Digital adherence technologies such as video directly observed therapy (VDOT) are emerging as promising solutions. However, as these novel technologies gain momentum, a critical gap is the lack of comprehensive studies evaluating their efficacy and the unique experiences of patients in Africa. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess patients' experiences that affected acceptability, usefulness, and ease of use with an enhanced VDOT system during monitoring of TB treatment. METHODS We conducted individual open-ended interviews in a cross-sectional exit qualitative study in Kampala, Uganda. Thirty participants aged 18-65 years who had completed the VDOT randomized trial were purposively selected to represent variability in sex, adherence level, and HIV status. We used a hybrid process of deductive and inductive coding to identify content related to the experience of study participation with VDOT. Codes were organized into themes and subthemes, which were used to develop overarching categories guided by constructs adapted from the modified Technology Acceptance Model for Resource-Limited Settings. We explored participants' experiences regarding the ease of use and usefulness of VDOT, thereby identifying the facilitators and barriers to its acceptability. Perceived usefulness refers to the benefits users expect from the technology, while perceived ease of use refers to how easily users navigate its various features. We adapted by shifting from assessing perceived to experienced constructs. RESULTS The participants' mean age was 35.3 (SD 12) years. Of the 30 participants, 15 (50%) were females, 13 (43%) had low education levels, and 22 (73%) owned cellphones, of which 10 (45%) had smartphones. Nine (28%) were TB/HIV-coinfected, receiving antiretroviral therapy. Emergent subthemes for facilitators of experienced usefulness and ease of VDOT use were SMS text message reminders, technology training support to patients by health care providers, timely patient-provider communication, family social support, and financial incentives. TB/HIV-coinfected patients reported the added benefit of adherence support for their antiretroviral medication. The external barriers to VDOT's usefulness and ease of use were unstable electricity, technological malfunctions in the app, and lack of cellular network coverage in rural areas. Concerns about stigma, disease disclosure, and fear of breach in privacy and confidentiality affected the ease of VDOT use. CONCLUSIONS Overall, participants had positive experiences with the enhanced VDOT. They found the enhanced VDOT system user-friendly, beneficial, and acceptable, particularly due to the supportive features such as SMS text message reminders, incentives, technology training by health care providers, and family support. However, it is crucial to address the barriers related to technological infrastructure as well as the privacy, confidentiality, and stigma concerns related to VDOT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet Nabbuye Sekandi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Global Health Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Adenike McDonald
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Global Health Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | | | - Sarah Zalwango
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Directorate of Public Health Services and Environment, Kampala Capital City Authority, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Vicent Kasiita
- Infectious Disease Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Patrick Kaggwa
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Global Health Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Robert Kakaire
- Global Health Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Lynn Atuyambe
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Elmadbouly AA, Abdul-Mohymen AM, Eltrawy HH, Elhasan HAA, Althoqapy AA, Amin DR. The association of IL-17A rs2275913 single nucleotide polymorphism with anti-tuberculous drug resistance in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2023; 21:90. [PMID: 37665411 PMCID: PMC10477154 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00542-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a global health burden with high morbidity and mortality in developing countries including Egypt. The susceptibility to infection with DR-TB strains may be genetically determined. Several interleukin gene polymorphisms were investigated as risk factors for tuberculosis infection but focusing on their association with DR-TB was limited. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the association of IL 17 - 197 G > A (rs2275913) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with susceptibility to DR-TB strains in comparison to drug-sensitive tuberculosis (DS-TB) strains in Egyptian patients with pulmonary TB. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 patients with DR-TB strains and 80 with DS-TB strains as a control group. Both age and sex were comparable among the study's groups. IL-17 - 197 G > A (rs2275913) SNP was genotyped by real-time PCR, and IL-17 serum concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS The GA and AA genotype frequencies of IL 17 - 197 G > A (rs2275913) SNP were significantly higher in patients with DR-TB strains than those with DS-TB strains (p < 0.001). The frequency of the A allele was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in patients with DR-TB group (32.5%) compared to the control group (13.8%). Substantial higher serum levels of IL-17 were detected in the DR-TB group with significant association with AA and AG genotypes. CONCLUSION Polymorphism in IL-17 -197 G > A (rs2275913) resulted in higher serum levels of IL-17 and Egyptian patients with such polymorphism are three times at risk of infection with DR-TB strains than patients with wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa A Elmadbouly
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | | | - Heba H Eltrawy
- Chest Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hanaa A Abou Elhasan
- Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Azza Ali Althoqapy
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Doaa R Amin
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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Rosu L, Morgan L, Tomeny EM, Worthington C, Jin M, Nidoi J, Worthington D. Cost of treatment support for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis using patient-centred approaches in Ethiopia: a model-based method. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:65. [PMID: 37420269 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01116-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient and health system costs for treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remain high even after treatment duration was shortened. Many patients do not finish treatment, contributing to increased transmission and antimicrobial resistance. A restructure of health services, that is more patient-centred has the potential to reduce costs and increase trust and patient satisfaction. The aim of the study is to investigate how costs would change in the delivery of MDR-TB care in Ethiopia under patient-centred and hybrid approaches compared to the current standard-of-care. METHODS We used published data, collected from 2017 to 2020 as part of the Standard Treatment Regimen of Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs for Patients with MDR-TB (STREAM) trial, to populate a discrete event simulation (DES) model. The model was developed to represent the key characteristics of patients' clinical pathways following each of the three treatment delivery strategies. To the pathways of 1000 patients generated by the DES model we applied relevant patient cost data derived from the STREAM trial. Costs are calculated for treating patients using a 9-month MDR-TB treatment and are presented in 2021 United States dollars (USD). RESULTS The patient-centred and hybrid strategies are less costly than the standard-of-care, from both a health system (by USD 219 for patient-centred and USD 276 for the hybrid strategy) and patient perspective when patients do not have a guardian (by USD 389 for patient-centred and USD 152 for the hybrid strategy). Changes in indirect costs, staff costs, transport costs, inpatient stay costs or changes in directly-observed-treatment frequency or hospitalisation duration for standard-of-care did not change our results. CONCLUSION Our findings show that patient-centred and hybrid strategies for delivering MDR-TB treatment cost less than standard-of-care and provide critical evidence that there is scope for such strategies to be implemented in routine care. These results should be used inform country-level decisions on how MDR-TB is delivered and also the design of future implementation trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rosu
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L35QA, UK.
| | - Lucy Morgan
- Management Science, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Ewan M Tomeny
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L35QA, UK
| | | | - Mengdi Jin
- Management Science, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Jasper Nidoi
- Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala, Uganda
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Ategyeka PM, Muhoozi M, Naturinda R, Kageni P, Namugenyi C, Kasolo A, Kisaka S, Kiwanuka N. Prevalence and factors associated with reported adverse-events among patients on multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in two referral hospitals in Uganda. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:149. [PMID: 36899299 PMCID: PMC9999637 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08085-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment involves toxic drugs that cause adverse events (AEs), which are life-threatening and may lead to death if not well managed. In Uganda, the prevalence of MDR-TB is increasingly high, and about 95% of the patients are on treatment. However, little is known about the prevalence of AEs among patients on MDR-TB medicines. We therefore estimated the prevalence of reported adverse events (AEs) of MDR-TB drugs and factors associated with AEs in two health facilities in Uganda. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of MDR-TB was conducted among patients enrolled at Mulago National Referral and Mbarara Regional Referral hospitals in Uganda. Medical records of MDR-TB patients enrolled between January 2015 and December 2020 were reviewed. Data on AEs, which were defined as irritative reactions to MDR-TB drugs, were extracted and analyzed. To describe reported AEs, descriptive statistics were computed. A modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with reported AEs. RESULTS Overall, 369 (43.1%) of 856 patients had AEs, and 145 (17%) of 856 had more than one. Joint pain (244/369, or 66%), hearing loss (75/369, or 20%), and vomiting (58/369, or 16%) were the most frequently reported effects. Patients started on the 24-month regimen (adj. PR = 1.4, 95%; 1.07, 1.76) and individualized regimens (adj. PR = 1.5, 95%; 1.11, 1.93) were more likely to suffer from AEs. Lack of transport for clinical monitoring (adj. PR = 1.9, 95%; 1.21, 3.11); alcohol consumption (adj. PR = 1.2, 95%; 1.05, 1.43); and receipt of directly observed therapy from peripheral health facilities (adj. PR = 1.6, 95%; 1.10, 2.41) were significantly associated with experiencing AEs. However, patients who received food supplies (adj. PR = 0.61, 95%; 0.51, 0.71) were less likely to suffer from AEs. CONCLUSION The frequency of adverse events reported by MDR-TB patients is considerably high, with joint pain being the most common. Interventions such as the provision of food supplies, transportation, and consistent counseling on alcohol consumption to patients at initiation treatment facilities may contribute to a reduction in the rate of occurrence of AEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Mukama Ategyeka
- College of Health Sciences School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Michael Muhoozi
- College of Health Sciences School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Makerere University Center for Health and Population Research, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Racheal Naturinda
- College of Health Sciences School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Kageni
- College of Health Sciences Department of Pharmacy, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Carol Namugenyi
- Mulago National Referral Hospital TB ward 5 and 6, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Amos Kasolo
- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital TB ward, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Stevens Kisaka
- College of Health Sciences School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA), University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Noah Kiwanuka
- College of Health Sciences School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Baluku JB, Mukasa D, Bongomin F, Stadelmann A, Nuwagira E, Haller S, Ntabadde K, Turyahabwe S. Gender differences among patients with drug resistant tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in Uganda: a countrywide retrospective cohort study. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1093. [PMID: 34689736 PMCID: PMC8542192 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06801-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gender differences among patients with drug resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) and HIV co-infection could affect treatment outcomes. We compared characteristics and treatment outcomes of DRTB/HIV co-infected men and women in Uganda. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with DRTB from 16 treatment sites in Uganda. Eligible patients were aged ≥ 18 years, had confirmed DRTB, HIV co-infection and a treatment outcome registered between 2013 and 2019. We compared socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and tuberculosis treatment outcomes between men and women. Potential predictors of mortality were determined by cox proportional hazard regression analysis that controlled for gender. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Of 666 DRTB/HIV co-infected patients, 401 (60.2%) were men. The median (IQR) age of men and women was 37.0 (13.0) and 34.0 (13.0) years respectively (p < 0.001). Men were significantly more likely to be on tenofovir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART), high-dose isoniazid-containing DRTB regimen and to have history of cigarette or alcohol use. They were also more likely to have multi-drug resistant TB, isoniazid and streptomycin resistance and had higher creatinine, aspartate and gamma-glutamyl aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels. Conversely, women were more likely to be unemployed, unmarried, receive treatment from the national referral hospital and to have anemia, a capreomycin-containing DRTB regimen and zidovudine-based ART. Treatment success was observed among 437 (65.6%) and did not differ between the genders. However, mortality was higher among men than women (25.7% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.030) and men had a shorter mean (standard error) survival time (16.8 (0.42) vs. 19.0 (0.46) months), Log Rank test (p = 0.046). Predictors of mortality, after adjusting for gender, were cigarette smoking (aHR = 4.87, 95% CI 1.28-18.58, p = 0.020), an increase in alanine aminotransferase levels (aHR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.07, p < 0.001), and history of ART default (aHR = 3.86, 95% CI 1.31-11.37, p = 0.014) while a higher baseline CD4 count was associated with lower mortality (aHR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.99, p = 0.013 for every 10 cells/mm3 increment). CONCLUSION Mortality was higher among men than women with DRTB/HIV co-infection which could be explained by several sociodemographic and clinical differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Baruch Baluku
- Division of Pulmonology, Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda ,grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University Lung Institute, PO Box 26343, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David Mukasa
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Complex Diseases and Genome Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Felix Bongomin
- grid.442626.00000 0001 0750 0866Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Anna Stadelmann
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Edwin Nuwagira
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Sabine Haller
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Department of Public and Global Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kauthrah Ntabadde
- grid.415861.f0000 0004 1790 6116MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Stavia Turyahabwe
- grid.415705.2National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
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Baluku JB, Namiiro S, Nabwana M, Muttamba W, Kirenga B. Undernutrition and Treatment Success in Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Uganda. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:3673-3681. [PMID: 34526787 PMCID: PMC8437412 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s332148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Undernutrition is associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes among people with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB). Factors influencing the treatment outcomes among undernourished people with DRTB are not well characterised. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with treatment success among undernourished people with DRTB in Uganda. Methods We analysed data from a retrospective cohort of people with DRTB from 16 treatment sites in Uganda. We included participants with a pre-treatment body mass index (BMI) of <18.5 kilograms/meters2 (kg/m2). Participants were categorised as having mild (BMI of 18.5–17 kg/m2), moderate (BMI of 16.9–16.0 kg/m2) or severe (BMI of <16.0 kg/m2) undernutrition. We performed logistic regression analysis to determine factors associated with treatment success. Results Among 473 people with DRTB, 276 (58.4%) were undernourished (BMI < 18.5 Kg/m2) and were included in the study. Of these, 92 (33.3%) had mild, 69 (25.0%) had moderate and 115 (41.7%) had severe undernutrition. The overall treatment success rate (TSR) for the undernourished was 71.4% (n = 197). Although the TSR was similar among participants with mild (71.7%), moderate (78.3%) and severe (67.0%) undernutrition (p = 0.258), all treatment failure cases (n =6) were among participants with severe undernutrition (p = 0.010). Cigarette smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 0.19, 95% CI 0.07–0.47, p < 0.001), urban residence (OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.14–0.70, p = 0.005) and moderate (OR = 0.14, 95% CI 0.06–0.35, p < 0.001) and severe anaemia (OR = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.29, p = 0.001) were associated with lower odds of treatment success. Conclusion Most undernourished people with DRTB have severe undernutrition. Smoking and anaemia are modifiable factors which upon appropriate intervention could improve treatment success. The effect of urban residence on the TSR needs to be evaluated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Baruch Baluku
- Division of Pulmonology, Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.,Research and Innovation Department, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sharon Namiiro
- Research and Innovation Department, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Martin Nabwana
- Quality Management Division, Makerere University - Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Winters Muttamba
- Research and Innovation Department, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bruce Kirenga
- Research and Innovation Department, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala, Uganda
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Baluku JB, Katuramu R, Naloka J, Kizito E, Nabwana M, Bongomin F. Multidisciplinary management of difficult-to-treat drug resistant tuberculosis: a review of cases presented to the national consilium in Uganda. BMC Pulm Med 2021; 21:220. [PMID: 34246234 PMCID: PMC8272325 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01597-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) with comorbidities and drug toxicities are difficult to treat. Guidelines recommend such patients to be managed in consultation with a multidisciplinary team of experts (the "TB consilium") to optimise treatment regimens. We describe characteristics and treatment outcomes of DR-TB cases presented to the national DR-TB consilium in Uganda between 2013 and 2019. METHODS We performed a secondary analysis of data from a nation-wide retrospective cohort of DR-TB patients with poor prognostic indicators in Uganda. Patients had a treatment outcome documented between 2013 and 2019. Characteristics and treatment outcomes were compared between cases reviewed by the consilium with those that were not reviewed. RESULTS Of 1,122 DR-TB cases, 189 (16.8%) cases from 16 treatment sites were reviewed by the consilium, of whom 86 (45.5%) were reviewed more than once. The most frequent inquiries (N = 308) from DR-TB treatment sites were construction of a treatment regimen (38.6%) and management of side effects (24.0%) while the most frequent consilium recommendations (N = 408) were a DR-TB regimen (21.7%) and "observation while on current regimen" (16.6%). Among the cases reviewed, 152 (80.4%) were from facilities other than the national referral hospital, 113 (61.1%) were aged ≥ 35 years, 72 (40.9%) were unemployed, and 26 (31.0%) had defaulted antiretroviral therapy. Additionally, 141 (90.4%) had hepatic injury, 55 (91.7%) had bilateral hearing loss, 20 (4.8%) had psychiatric symptoms and 14 (17.7%) had abnormal baseline systolic blood pressure. Resistance to second-line drugs (SLDs) was observed among 9 (4.8%) cases while 13 (6.9%) cases had previous exposure to SLDs. Bedaquiline (13.2%, n = 25), clofazimine (28.6%, n = 54), high-dose isoniazid (22.8%, n = 43) and linezolid (6.7%, n = 13) were more frequently prescribed among cases reviewed by the consilium than those not reviewed. Treatment success was observed among 126 (66.7%) cases reviewed. CONCLUSION Cases reviewed by the consilium had several comorbidities, drug toxicities and a low treatment success rate. Consilia are important "gatekeepers" for new and repurposed drugs. There is need to build capacity of lower health facilities to construct DR-TB regimens and manage adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Baruch Baluku
- Division of Pulmonology, Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.
- Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
| | | | | | - Enock Kizito
- USAID/Defeat TB, University Research Co LLC, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Martin Nabwana
- Makerere University - Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
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Kibirige L, Izudi J, Okoboi S. Discontinuation of tuberculosis treatment among children in the Kampala Capital City Authority health facilities: a mixed-methods study. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:511. [PMID: 34074268 PMCID: PMC8167996 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06244-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Discontinuation of tuberculosis treatment (DTT) among children in sub-Saharan Africa is a major obstacle to effective tuberculosis (TB) control and has the potential to worsen the emergence of multi-drug resistant TB and death. DTT in children is understudied in Uganda. We examined the level and factors associated with DTT among children at four large health facilities in Kampala Capital City Authority and documented the reasons for DTT from treatment supporters and healthcare provider perspectives. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of records for children < 15 years diagnosed and treated for TB between January 2018 and December 2019. We held focus group discussions with treatment supporters and key informant interviews with healthcare providers. We defined DTT as the stoppage of TB treatment for 30 or more consecutive days. We used a stepwise generalized linear model to assess factors independently associated with DTT and content analysis for the qualitative data reported using sub-themes. Results Of 312 participants enrolled, 35 (11.2%) had discontinued TB treatment. The reasons for DTT included lack of privacy at healthcare facilities for children with TB and their treatment supporters, the disappearance of TB symptoms following treatment initiation, poor implementation of the community-based directly observed therapy short-course (CB-DOTS) strategy, insufficient funding to the TB program, and frequent stock-outs of TB drugs. DTT was more likely during the continuation phase of TB treatment compared to the intensive phase (Adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 5.22; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.76–17.52) and when the treatment supporter was employed compared to when the treatment supporter was unemployed (aOR, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.34–11.38). Conclusion Many children with TB discontinue TB treatment and this might exacerbate TB morbidity and mortality. To mitigate DTT, healthcare providers should ensure children with TB and their treatment supporters are accorded privacy during service provision and provide more information about TB symptom resolution and treatment duration versus the need to complete treatment. The district and national TB control programs should address gaps in funding to TB care, the supply of TB drugs, and the implementation of the CB-DOTS strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Kibirige
- Institute of Public Health and Management, Clarke International University, P.O. Box 7782, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jonathan Izudi
- Institute of Public Health and Management, Clarke International University, P.O. Box 7782, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Stephen Okoboi
- Institute of Public Health and Management, Clarke International University, P.O. Box 7782, Kampala, Uganda. .,Infectious Diseases Institute, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda.
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Baluku JB, Bongomin F. Treatment outcomes of pregnant women with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Uganda: A retrospective review of 18 cases. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 105:230-233. [PMID: 33610787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a dearth of reports on drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) treatment outcomes among pregnant women in tuberculosis (TB)/HIV high-burdened countries. We report treatment outcomes of 18 pregnant women with DRTB in Uganda. METHODS We reviewed charts of individuals who received DRTB treatment in Uganda across 16 DRTB treatment sites. We included all women who were pregnant during DRTB treatment and had a treatment outcome documented between 2013 and 2019. RESULTS There were 18 pregnant women with a mean age (standard deviation (SD)) of 27.5 (5.2) years, of whom 8 (44.4%) were HIV co-infected. Among these women, 12 (66.7%) had primary DRTB and 8 (44.4%) had multidrug-resistant TB. Levofloxacin (Lfx), Pyrazinamide, Cycloserine and Kanamycin (Kn) were the most (>78%) used drugs in the treatment regimen and the mean (SD) treatment duration was 17.6 (7.5) months. Elevated liver enzymes (81.8%, n = 11) and hearing loss (33.3%, n = 15) were the most frequently encountered drug adverse events. Treatment success was observed among 15 (83.3%) patients, 2 (11.1%) patients were lost to follow up and 1 (5.6%) patient died. CONCLUSION The treatment success among pregnant women with DRTB in Uganda was high despite a high prevalence of HIV co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Baruch Baluku
- Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda; Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala, Uganda; Mildmay Uganda, Wakiso, Uganda.
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