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. 2022 Jun 21;12(2):55-57.
doi: 10.5588/pha.21.0083.

Causes of loss to follow-up from drug-resistant TB treatment in Khayelitsha, South Africa

B Memani  1 , B Beko  1 , N Dumile  1 , E Mohr-Holland  1   2 , J Daniels  1 , B Sibanda  1 , Z Damse  3 , V Scott  3 , E von der Heyden  4 , C Pfaff  1 , A Reuter  1 , J Furin  5
Affiliations

Causes of loss to follow-up from drug-resistant TB treatment in Khayelitsha, South Africa

B Memani et al. Public Health Action. .

Abstract
in English, French

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.

Les patients placés sous traitement pour TB pharmacorésistante (DR-TB) en 2019 à Khayelitsha, Afrique du Sud, et ayant été perdus de vue ont été évalués afin de mieux comprendre les raisons de la perte de vue et de déterminer si certains étaient de nouveau suivis. Sur 187 patients, 28 (15%) ont été perdus de vue, dont 24 (86%) ont été retrouvés : 20/24 (83%) ont été retrouvés lorsqu’ils se sont de nouveau présentés en consultation et 8/28 (29%) ont été réinsérés dans le parcours de soins de la DR-TB. Les patients atteints de DR-TB sont toujours en demande de soins, même après avoir été perdus de vue. Ainsi, une meilleure coordination entre les différentes composantes du système de santé est nécessaire afin de rétablir le lien avec ces patients. Des interventions visant à atténuer les problèmes socio-économiques des patients sous traitement pour DR-TB sont nécessaires. De nombreux patients symptomatiques ayant été perdus de vue étaient enclins à reprendre leur traitement de la DR-TB. Il est donc important de mettre en place des programmes compassionnels afin de les réinsérer dans le parcours de soins.

Keywords: lost from care; rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis; socio-economic support; substance use.

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Figures

FIGURE
FIGURE
Patient-reported reasons for being lost to follow-up among the 11 (46%) out of 24 DR-TB patients traced by phone or in person via a home visit (not mutually exclusive).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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