Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Sci Rep. 2024 March 27; Volume 14 (Issue 1); 7317.; DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-57774-9
Arendse KD, Walker C, Pfaff C, Lebelo K, Cassidy T, et al.
Sci Rep. 2024 March 27; Volume 14 (Issue 1); 7317.; DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-57774-9
Psychosocial challenges impact patients’ ability to remain on antiretroviral therapy lifelong, magnified by disorganized health-systems and healthcare worker (HCW) attitudes. To address this, Médecins Sans Frontières and the Department of Health developed the Welcome Service intervention, to provide person-centered care at re-engagement after HIV treatment interruption. Implemented in Khayelitsha, South Africa, between August 2020 and February 2021, the intervention aimed to reorganize triage, optimize clinical and counselling services and address HCW attitudes. The study used a mixed-methods design, incorporating in-depth interviews, and analyses of programmatic and routine health data. Interviews demonstrated positive patient care experiences. HCWs understood the potential impact of attitudes on patient engagement, however, some continued to demonstrate judgmental attitude. Clinical objectives were variably met at re-engagement: 98% were re-initiated the same day, 50% had a CD4 done, and 45% received tuberculosis prevention. Nevertheless, 4-month retention was 66%, and 88% had a VL < 1000 c/mL. Despite HCWs’ understanding of person-centered care not translating into supportive behaviors, patients had positive care experiences and the intervention ended with a high rate of VL suppression. More efforts are needed to design interventions building on Welcome Service principles to provide person-centered care and sustain retention after re-engagement.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Open Forum Infect Dis. 2023 February 21; Volume 10 (Issue 3); ofad087.; DOI:10.1093/ofid/ofad087
Apolisi I, Cox HS, Tyeku N, Daniels J, Mathee S, et al.
Open Forum Infect Dis. 2023 February 21; Volume 10 (Issue 3); ofad087.; DOI:10.1093/ofid/ofad087
BACKGROUND
Children and adolescents with household exposure to multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) are at high risk of developing TB disease. Tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) is recommended, but programmatic experience is limited, particularly for adolescents.
METHODS
We conducted a prospective cohort study to describe MDR/RR-TB diagnosis and TPT provision for individuals aged <18 years with MDR/RR-TB exposure. Participants were assessed for TB either in homes or health facilities, with referral for chest x-ray or specimen collection at clinician discretion. The TPT regimens included levofloxacin, isoniazid, or delamanid monotherapy for 6 months, based on source patient drug-resistance profile.
RESULTS
Between March 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021, 112 participants were enrolled; median age was 8.5 years, 57 (51%) were female, and 6 (5%) had human immunodeficiency virus. On screening, 11 (10%) were diagnosed with TB: 10 presumptive MDR/RR-TB and 1 drug-susceptible TB. Overall, 95 (94% of 101) participants started TPT: 79 with levofloxacin, 9 with isoniazid, and 7 with delamanid. Seventy-six (80%) completed TPT, 12 (13%) were lost to follow up, and 7 (7%) stopped TPT early due to adverse events. Potential adverse events were reported for 12 (13%) participants; none were serious. There were no further TB diagnoses (200 days median follow up).
CONCLUSIONS
Post-MDR/RR-TB exposure management for children and adolescents resulted in significant MDR/RR-TB detection and both high TPT initiation and completion. Tuberculosis preventive monotherapy was well tolerated and there were no further TB diagnoses after initial assessment. Key factors supporting these outcomes included use of pediatric formulations for young children, monotherapy, and community-based options for assessment and follow up.
Children and adolescents with household exposure to multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) are at high risk of developing TB disease. Tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) is recommended, but programmatic experience is limited, particularly for adolescents.
METHODS
We conducted a prospective cohort study to describe MDR/RR-TB diagnosis and TPT provision for individuals aged <18 years with MDR/RR-TB exposure. Participants were assessed for TB either in homes or health facilities, with referral for chest x-ray or specimen collection at clinician discretion. The TPT regimens included levofloxacin, isoniazid, or delamanid monotherapy for 6 months, based on source patient drug-resistance profile.
RESULTS
Between March 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021, 112 participants were enrolled; median age was 8.5 years, 57 (51%) were female, and 6 (5%) had human immunodeficiency virus. On screening, 11 (10%) were diagnosed with TB: 10 presumptive MDR/RR-TB and 1 drug-susceptible TB. Overall, 95 (94% of 101) participants started TPT: 79 with levofloxacin, 9 with isoniazid, and 7 with delamanid. Seventy-six (80%) completed TPT, 12 (13%) were lost to follow up, and 7 (7%) stopped TPT early due to adverse events. Potential adverse events were reported for 12 (13%) participants; none were serious. There were no further TB diagnoses (200 days median follow up).
CONCLUSIONS
Post-MDR/RR-TB exposure management for children and adolescents resulted in significant MDR/RR-TB detection and both high TPT initiation and completion. Tuberculosis preventive monotherapy was well tolerated and there were no further TB diagnoses after initial assessment. Key factors supporting these outcomes included use of pediatric formulations for young children, monotherapy, and community-based options for assessment and follow up.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Public Health Action. 2022 June 21; Volume 12 (Issue 2); 55-57.; DOI:10.5588/pha.21.0083
Memani B, Beko B, Dumile N, Mohr-Holland E, Daniels J, et al.
Public Health Action. 2022 June 21; Volume 12 (Issue 2); 55-57.; DOI:10.5588/pha.21.0083
Patients initiated on drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) treatment in 2019 in Khayelitsha, South Africa, with a loss to follow-up outcome were evaluated to better understand reasons for loss to follow-up and to determine if any had returned to care. Of a total of 187 patients, 28 (15%) were lost to follow-up (LTFU), 24 (86%) of whom were traced: 20/24 (83%) were found when they re-presented to facilities and 8/28 (29%) were linked back to DR-TB care. People with DR-TB continue to seek care even after being LTFU; thus better coordination between different components of the healthcare system are required to re-engage with these patients. Interventions to mitigate the socio-economic challenges of people on DR-TB treatment are needed. Many people who were LTFU and symptomatic were willing to re-engage with DR-TB care, which highlights the importance of for compassionate interventions to welcome them back.
Journal Article > LetterFull Text
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2021 May 1; Volume 25 (Issue 5); 409-412.; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.21.0010
Mohr-Holland E, Daniels J, Douglas-Jones B, Mema N, Scott V, et al.
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2021 May 1; Volume 25 (Issue 5); 409-412.; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.21.0010
Journal Article > LetterFull Text
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2021 July 1; Volume 25 (Issue 7); 587-589.; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.21.0051
Douglas-Jones B, Mohr-Holland E, Mema N, Mathee S, Mathews G, et al.
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2021 July 1; Volume 25 (Issue 7); 587-589.; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.21.0051
Journal Article > LetterFull Text
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2021 September 1; Volume 25 (Issue 9); 772-775(4).; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.21.0340
Mohr-Holland E, Hacking D, Daniels J, Scott V, Mudaly V, et al.
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2021 September 1; Volume 25 (Issue 9); 772-775(4).; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.21.0340
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2021 March 1; Volume 5 (Issue 3); 159-161.; DOI:10.1016/S2352-4642(21)00003-1
Mohr-Holland E, Douglas-Jones B, Apolisi I, Ngambu N, Mathee S, et al.
Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2021 March 1; Volume 5 (Issue 3); 159-161.; DOI:10.1016/S2352-4642(21)00003-1