Retrospective record review of pregnant women treated for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is amongst the top five causes of death in women of childbearing age (15-≤44 years). Little is known about treatment of pregnant women with drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). Treatment for pregnant women remains challenging and more complex in DR-TB/HIV co-infection, where an evidence-based guide to clinical practice is limited. The study reviewed treatment and pregnancy outcomes and birth outcomes of their new-born in a cohort of pregnant women with DR-TB from three MDR-TB hospitals during 2010 and 2018. DESIGN/METHODS: Data were extracted from: TB register and patient clinic notes using a standardized case record form. Information on DR-TB treatment, pregnancy and Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) of twenty-six pregnant women treated with individualized second-line TB medications were captured. The frequency of favourable and adverse outcomes regarding disease and pregnancy were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 29 years (SD ±5.1), with the minimum and maximum age of 21 and 40 years, respectively. Eleven (42.3%) were previously treated with first-line TB drugs, 11 (42.3%) never treated before and 4 (15.4%) were previously treated for DR-TB. Of the 26 women, 15 (57.7%) had at least one ADE, but most had more than one ADE. Seventeen women were successfully treated, and 22 live births recorded. Live birth outcome was significantly associated with trimester of initiation of DR-TB treatment (p = 0.036). The proportion of live births for the pregnancy trimester when DR-TB treatment was initiated, were 60.0%, 90.9% and 100.0%, for first, second and third trimester, respectively. CONCLUSION: DR-TB treatment should be delayed until after the first trimester. Routine pharmacovigilance surveillance integrated antenatal and delivery services with an integrated record of DR-TB treatment during pregnancy is recommended. Prospective studies using standardised case record forms for DR-TB treatment for pregnant women could provide more insight on the effect of DR-TB treatment on the birth outcome.

TB tracer teams in South Africa: knowledge, practices and challenges of tracing TB patients to improve adherence.

BACKGROUND: In 2008-2009 the South African National Tuberculosis (TB) Program (NTP) implemented a national pilot project, the TB Tracer Project, aiming to decrease default rates and improve patient outcomes. The current study aimed to inform the NTP by describing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of TB program personnel involved with tracing activities. METHODS: A self-administered written questionnaire was sent to TB staff, managers and tracer team leaders to assess basic TB knowledge, attitudes and practices. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize results and the chi-squared statistic was used to compare responses of staff at facilities that participated in the TB Tracer Project (tracer) and those that followed standard NTP care (non-tracer). RESULTS: Of 560 total questionnaires distributed, 270 were completed and returned (response rate 48%). Total TB knowledge ranged from 70.8-86.3% correct across all response groups. However, just over half (range 50-59.3%) of each respondent group was able to correctly identify the four components of a DOT encounter. A patient no longer feeling sick was cited by 72.1% of respondents as the reason patients fail to adhere to treatment. Tracer teams were viewed as an effective means to get patients to return to treatment by 96.3% of health facility level respondents. Tracer team leaders reported concerns including lack of logistical support (41.7%), insufficient physical safety precautions (41.7%), and inadequate protection from contracting TB (39.1%). Upon patients returning to treatment at the clinic, facilities included in the TB Tracer Project were significantly more likely to discuss alternate DOTS arrangements than non-tracer facilities (79.2 vs. 66.4%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified key components of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding TB patient tracing activities in South Africa. Educating patients on the essential need to complete treatment irrespective of clinical symptoms may help improve treatment adherence. Future scale-up and integration of TB tracing activities as part of standard TB management should include provisions for standardized training of personnel on the critical elements of DOTS, and for ensuring appropriate supervision, logistical support, and physical safety and TB transmission protection of tracing teams.