"This is not my body": Therapeutic experiences and post-treatment health of people with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: There are few data on the on post-treatment experiences of people who have been successfully treated for rifampicin-resistant (RR-)TB. OBJECTIVE: To describe the experiences and impact of RR-TB disease and therapy on post-treatment life of individuals who were successfully treated. METHODS: In this qualitative study in-depth interviews were conducted among a purposively selected sample from a population of individuals who were successfully treated for RR-TB between January 2008 and December 2018. Interview transcripts and notes were analysed using a thematic network analysis which included grounded theory and a framework for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms for post-TB morbidity and mortality. The analysis was iterative and the coding system developed focused on disease, treatment and post-treatment experiences of individuals. This paper follows the COREQ guidelines. RESULTS: For all 12 participants interviewed, the development of RR-TB disease, its diagnosis and the subsequent treatment were a major disruption to their lives as well as a transformative experience. On diagnosis of RR-TB disease, participants entered a liminal period in which their lives were marked with uncertainty and dominated by physical and mental suffering. Irrespective of how long ago they had completed their treatment, they all remembered with clarity the signs and symptoms of the disease and the arduous treatment journey. Post-treatment participants reported physical, social, psychological and economic changes as consequences of their RR-TB disease and treatment. Many participants reported a diminished ability to perform physical activities and, once discharged from the RR-TB hospital, inadequate physical rehabilitation. For some, these physical limitations impacted on their social life, and ultimately on their psychological health as well as on their ability to earn money and support their families. CONCLUSION: The experiences and impact of RR-TB disease and therapy on post-treatment life of individuals successfully treated, highlights gaps in the current health care system that need to be addressed to improve the life of individuals post-treatment. A more holistic and long-term view of post-TB health, including the provision of comprehensive medical and social services for post-treatment care of physical ailments, social re-integration and the mitigation of the perceived fear and risk of getting TB again could be a central part of person-centred TB care.

Improved Survival and Cure Rates With Concurrent Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection in South Africa.

Background: Mortality in multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection has historically been high, but most studies predated the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We prospectively compared survival and treatment outcomes in MDR tuberculosis-HIV-coinfected patients on ART to those in patients with MDR tuberculosis alone. Methods: This observational study enrolled culture-confirmed MDR tuberculosis patients with and without HIV in South Africa between 2011 and 2013. Participants received standardized MDR tuberculosis and HIV regimens and were followed monthly for treatment response, adverse events, and adherence. The primary outcome was survival. Results: Among 206 participants, 150 were HIV infected, 131 (64%) were female, and the median age was 33 years (interquartile range [IQR], 26-41). Of the 191 participants with a final MDR tuberculosis outcome, 130 (73%) were cured or completed treatment, which did not differ by HIV status (P = .50). After 2 years, CD4 count increased a median of 140 cells/mm3 (P = .005), and 64% had an undetectable HIV viral load. HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected participants had high rates of survival (86% and 94%, respectively; P = .34). The strongest risk factor for mortality was having a CD4 count ≤100 cells/mm3 (adjusted hazards ratio, 15.6; 95% confidence interval, 4.4-55.6). Conclusions: Survival and treatment outcomes among MDR tuberculosis-HIV individuals receiving concurrent ART approached those of HIV-uninfected patients. The greatest risk of death was among HIV-infected individuals with CD4 counts ≤100 cells/mm3. These findings provide critical evidence to support concurrent treatment of MDR tuberculosis and HIV.

A pilot study of an mHealth application for healthcare workers: poor uptake despite high reported acceptability at a rural South African community-based MDR-TB treatment program.

INTRODUCTION: As the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal addresses a growing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) epidemic by shifting care and treatment from trained specialty centers to community hospitals, delivering and monitoring MDR-TB therapy has presented new challenges. In particular, tracking and reporting adverse clinical events have been difficult for mobile healthcare workers (HCWs), trained health professionals who travel daily to patient homes to administer and monitor therapy. We designed and piloted a mobile phone application (Mobilize) for mobile HCWs that electronically standardized the recording and tracking of MDR-TB patients on low-cost, functional phones. OBJECTIVE: We assess the acceptability and feasibility of using Mobilize to record and submit adverse events forms weekly during the intensive phase of MDR-TB therapy and evaluate mobile HCW perceptions throughout the pilot period. METHODS: All five mobile HCWs at one site were trained and provided with phones. Utilizing a mixed-methods evaluation, mobile HCWs' usage patterns were tracked electronically for seven months and analyzed. Qualitative focus groups and questionnaires were designed to understand the impact of mobile phone technology on the work environment. RESULTS: Mobile HCWs submitted nine of 33 (27%) expected adverse events forms, conflicting with qualitative results in which mobile HCWs stated that Mobilize improved adverse events communication, helped their daily workflow, and could be successfully expanded to other health interventions. When presented with the conflict between their expressed views and actual practice, mobile HCWs cited forgetfulness and believed patients should take more responsibility for their own care. DISCUSSION: This pilot experience demonstrated poor uptake by HCWs despite positive responses to using mHealth. Though our results should be interpreted cautiously because of the small number of mobile HCWs and MDR-TB patients in this study, we recommend carefully exploring the motivations of HCWs and technologic enhancements prior to scaling new mHealth initiatives in resource poor settings.