General objective :
Evaluate support strategy for MDR-TB patients.
Specific objectives :
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- Describe the organization of support for MDR/XDR-TB patients;
- Determine the effectiveness of social support on weight change in MDR/XDR-TB patients;
- Determine the effectiveness of social support on the treatment outcome of MDR/XDR-TB patients;
- Measure access to support for MDR/XDR-TB patients (regularity, quantity, quality of package offered);
- Measure acceptability of social support by MDR/XDR-TB patients;
- Identify obstacles to implementing the support strategy for MDR/XDR-TB patients;
- Propose an appropriate strategy.
Method :
The support for TB patients implemented in the country includes food (partnership between NTP and shopkeepers), travel expenses (mobile transfer by NTP) and hygiene kits (distribution by NTP).
A retrospective and prospective cohort study, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, was carried out on a national scale.
- The QUANTITATIVE COMPONENT (retrospective) included data from all MDR/XDR-TB patients enrolled in the study evaluating short, all-oral regimens for the treatment of multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (SHORRT) between 01/01/2020 and July 31, 2022. Sociodemographic data, data related to the implementation of patient support and data related to therapeutic outcome were collected.
- The QUALITATIVE COMPONENT (Prospective) consisted of a series of interviews with MDR-TB patients, household members, former MDR-TB patients, health workers involved in MDR-TB care, traders supplying food, managers of the financial resources of the support package. These interviews focused on the structure, acceptability, feasibility and challenges of the patient support strategy implemented in the country.
Progress :
The study has been finalized and the results shared with the relevant authorities. A scientific article is currently being written.