Tuberculosis infection control measures at health care facilities offering HIV and tuberculosis services in India: A baseline assessment.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of world's oldest infectious disease and ranks alongside HIV as leading infectious killer. Tuberculosis infection control especially in HIV and TB care facilities has warranted attention after the recent health care-associated outbreaks in South Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the tuberculosis infection control measures implemented by HIV and TB care facilities in five high HIV burden provinces in India. METHODS: Baseline assessment of 30 high burden Antiretroviral centers and TB facilities was conducted during Oct 2015-Dec 2015 by AIC trained staff using a structured format. RESULTS: Thirty HIV and TB care facilities in five high HIV burden provinces were enrolled. Facility infrastructure and airborne infection control practices were highly varied between facilities. TB screening and fast tracking at ART centers is happening at majority of centers however inadequate TB infection control training, poor compliance to administrative and personal protective measures and lack of mechanism for health care workers surveillance need attention. CONCLUSIONS: Local specific TB infection control interventions to be designed and implemented at HIV and TB care facilities including implementation of administrative, environmental and use of personal protective equipment's with the training of staff members. Health care workers surveillance needs to be prioritized considering the rising instances of tuberculosis among Health care workers.

Social support a key factor for adherence to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is emerging as a major public health problem globally. Treatment success rates in MDR-TB across the globe are not encouraging as completing MDR-TB treatment successfully is challenging due to high proportion of lost to follow up. METHODS: Using qualitative methods and grounded theory approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with MDR-TB patients and treatment providers. The social cognitive framework was explored as a way to guide understanding of the factors affecting treatment adherence among MDR-TB patients. RESULTS: Multiple factors influenced patient's decision to adhere to MDR-TB treatment. Self-motivation, awareness about disease and treatment, counselling support, family support, nutritional support and social support were important drivers for successful treatment. Providers related that motivational counselling, nutritional support, family support and social support encouraged treatment adherence. CONCLUSION: To improve MDR-TB treatment adherence, a patient-centric approach should be considered at the programmatic level. There is a need to formulate strategy that includes motivational counselling, nutritional supplementation and social support mobilisation for treatment adherence. Participants suggested a Patient Support Group led treatment care model for better adherence and treatment success rates in MDR-TB treatment.