Title
Addressing tuberculosis patients’ medical and socio-economic needs: a comprehensive programmatic approach
Date Issued
01 April 2017
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Contreras C.
Millones A.
Aguilar M.
Toranzo M.
Becerra M.
Yuen C.
Publisher(s)
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Abstract
Objective: For a cohort of patients with tuberculosis in Carabayllo, Peru, we describe the prevalence of medical comorbidities and socio-economic needs, the efforts required by a comprehensive support programme (‘TB Cero’) to address them and the success of this programme in linking patients to care. Methods: Patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in Carabayllo underwent evaluations for HIV, diabetes, mental health and unmet basic needs. For patients initiating treatment during 14 September, 2015–15 May, 2016, we abstracted data from evaluation forms and a support request system. We calculated the prevalence of medical comorbidities and the need for socio-economic support at the time of tuberculosis diagnosis, as well as the proportion of patients successfully linked to care or support. Results: Of 192 patients, 83 (43%) had at least one medical comorbidity other than tuberculosis. These included eight (4%) patients with HIV, 12 (6%) with diabetes and 62 (32%) deemed at risk for a mental health condition. Of patients who required follow-up for a comorbidity, 100% initiated antiretroviral therapy, 71% attended endocrinology consultations and 66% attended psychology consultations. Of 126 (65%) patients who completed the socio-economic evaluation, 58 (46%) reported already receiving food baskets from the municipality, and 79 (63%) were given additional support, most commonly food vouchers and assistance in accessing health care. Conclusion: Carabayllo tuberculosis patients face many challenges in addition to tuberculosis. A collaborative, comprehensive treatment support programme can achieve high rates of linkage to care for these needs.
Start page
505
End page
511
Volume
22
Issue
4
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Sistema respiratorio
Geografía económica y cultural
Enfermedades infecciosas
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85013449822
PubMed ID
Source
Tropical Medicine and International Health
ISSN of the container
13602276
Sponsor(s)
This work was funded by a grant from Janssen Global Public Health to Harvard Medical School, a Charles H. Hood Foundation Child Health Research Award and the Cassell Family Foundation. The funders had no role in study design or conduct; in collection, management, analysis or interpretation of the data; or in preparation, review, approval or submission of the manuscript.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus