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Yates TA, Karat AS, Bozzani F, McCreesh N, MacGregor H, Beckwith PG, Govender I, Colvin CJ, Kielmann K, Grant AD. Time to change the way we think about tuberculosis infection prevention and control in health facilities: insights from recent research. Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol 2023; 3:e117. [PMID: 37502244 PMCID: PMC10369445 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2023.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
In clinical settings where airborne pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are prevalent, they constitute an important threat to health workers and people accessing healthcare. We report key insights from a 3-year project conducted in primary healthcare clinics in South Africa, alongside other recent tuberculosis infection prevention and control (TB-IPC) research. We discuss the fragmentation of TB-IPC policies and budgets; the characteristics of individuals attending clinics with prevalent pulmonary tuberculosis; clinic congestion and patient flow; clinic design and natural ventilation; and the facility-level determinants of the implementation (or not) of TB-IPC interventions. We present modeling studies that describe the contribution of M. tuberculosis transmission in clinics to the community tuberculosis burden and economic evaluations showing that TB-IPC interventions are highly cost-effective. We argue for a set of changes to TB-IPC, including better coordination of policymaking, clinic decongestion, changes to clinic design and building regulations, and budgeting for enablers to sustain implementation of TB-IPC interventions. Additional research is needed to find the most effective means of improving the implementation of TB-IPC interventions; to develop approaches to screening for prevalent pulmonary tuberculosis that do not rely on symptoms; and to identify groups of patients that can be seen in clinic less frequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom A. Yates
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Aaron S. Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
| | | | - Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hayley MacGregor
- The Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Peter G. Beckwith
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Christopher J. Colvin
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Karina Kielmann
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alison D. Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanSouth Africa
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Calderwood CJ, Tlali M, Karat AS, Hoffmann CJ, Charalambous S, Johnson S, Grant AD, Fielding KL. Risk Factors for Hospitalization or Death Among Adults With Advanced HIV at Enrollment for Care in South Africa: A Secondary Analysis of the TB Fast Track Trial. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac265. [PMID: 35855000 PMCID: PMC9290545 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with advanced HIV experience high mortality, especially before and during the first months of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to identify factors, measurable in routine, primary health clinic-based services, associated with the greatest risk of poor outcome. Methods We included all individuals enrolled in the standard-of-care arm of a cluster-randomized trial (TB Fast Track); adults attending participating health clinics with CD4 ≤150 cells/µL and no recent ART were eligible. Associations between baseline exposures and a composite outcome (hospitalization/death) over 6 months were estimated using multivariable Cox regression. Results Among 1515 individuals (12 clinics), 56% were female, the median age was 36 years, and the median CD4 count was 70 cells/μL. Within 6 months, 89% started ART. The overall rate of hospitalization/death was 32.5 per 100 person-years (218 outcomes/671 person-years). Lower baseline CD4 count (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.27 for <50 vs 100-150 cells/µL; 95% CI, 1.57-3.27), lower body mass index (aHR, 2.13 for BMI <17 vs ≥25 kg/m2; 95% CI, 1.31-3.45), presence of tuberculosis-related symptoms (aHR, 1.87 for 3-4 symptoms vs none; 95% CI, 1.20-2.93), detectable urine lipoarabinomannan (aHR, 1.97 for 1+ positivity vs negative; 95% CI, 1.37-2.83), and anemia (aHR, 4.42 for severe anemia [hemoglobin <8 g/dL] vs none; 95% CI, CI 2.38-8.21) were strong independent risk factors for hospitalization/death. Conclusions Simple measures that can be routinely assessed in primary health care in resource-limited settings identify individuals with advanced HIV at high risk of poor outcomes; these may guide targeted interventions to improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire J Calderwood
- Correspondence: Claire J. Calderwood, MSc, Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK ()
| | - Mpho Tlali
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Aaron S Karat
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Salome Charalambous
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Suzanne Johnson
- Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Alison D Grant
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Katherine L Fielding
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Govender I, Karat AS, Olivier S, Baisley K, Beckwith P, Dayi N, Dreyer J, Gareta D, Gunda R, Kielmann K, Koole O, Mhlongo N, Modise T, Moodley S, Mpofana X, Ndung'u T, Pillay D, Siedner MJ, Smit T, Surujdeen A, Wong EB, Grant AD. Correction to: Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Sputum and Reported Symptoms Among Clinic Attendees Compared With a Community Survey in Rural South Africa. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:363. [PMID: 35477792 PMCID: PMC9410715 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Olivier
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Kathy Baisley
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Beckwith
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Njabulo Dayi
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Jaco Dreyer
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Dickman Gareta
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Resign Gunda
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Karina Kielmann
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Olivier Koole
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Ngcebo Mhlongo
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Tshwaraganang Modise
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Sashen Moodley
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Xolile Mpofana
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Thumbi Ndung'u
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deenan Pillay
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J Siedner
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Theresa Smit
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Ashmika Surujdeen
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Emily B Wong
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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McCreesh N, Karat AS, Govender I, Baisley K, Diaconu K, Yates TA, Houben RM, Kielmann K, Grant AD, White R. Estimating the contribution of transmission in primary healthcare clinics to community-wide TB disease incidence, and the impact of infection prevention and control interventions, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2021-007136. [PMID: 35396264 PMCID: PMC8995945 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a high risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmission in healthcare facilities in high burden settings. WHO guidelines on tuberculosis (TB) infection prevention and control (IPC) recommend a range of measures to reduce transmission in healthcare settings. These were evaluated primarily based on evidence for their effects on transmission to healthcare workers in hospitals. To estimate the overall impact of IPC interventions, it is necessary to also consider their impact on community-wide TB incidence and mortality. METHODS We developed an individual-based model of Mtb transmission in households, primary healthcare (PHC) clinics, and all other congregate settings. The model was parameterised using data from a high HIV prevalence community in South Africa, including data on social contact by setting, by sex, age, and HIV/antiretroviral therapy status; and data on TB prevalence in clinic attendees and the general population. We estimated the proportion of disease in adults that resulted from transmission in PHC clinics, and the impact of a range of IPC interventions in clinics on community-wide TB. RESULTS We estimate that 7.6% (plausible range 3.9%-13.9%) of non-multidrug resistant and multidrug resistant TB in adults resulted directly from transmission in PHC clinics in the community in 2019. The proportion is higher in HIV-positive people, at 9.3% (4.8%-16.8%), compared with 5.3% (2.7%-10.1%) in HIV-negative people. We estimate that IPC interventions could reduce incident TB cases in the community in 2021-2030 by 3.4%-8.0%, and deaths by 3.0%-7.2%. CONCLUSIONS A non-trivial proportion of TB results from transmission in clinics in the study community, particularly in HIV-positive people. Implementing IPC interventions could lead to moderate reductions in disease burden. We recommend that IPC measures in clinics should be implemented for their benefits to staff and patients, but also for their likely effects on TB incidence and mortality in the surrounding community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Kathy Baisley
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Diaconu
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Tom A Yates
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Rein Mgj Houben
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karina Kielmann
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Richard White
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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5
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Fentress M, Henwood PC, Maharaj P, Mitha M, Khan D, Caligiuri P, Karat AS, Olivier S, Edwards A, Ramjit D, Ngcobo N, Wong EB, Grant AD. High sensitivity of ultrasound for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in adults in South Africa: A proof-of-concept study. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0000800. [PMID: 36962607 PMCID: PMC10021214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are limited data on the performance characteristics of ultrasound for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative persons. The objective of this proof-of-concept study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in adults. METHODS Comprehensive thoracic and focused abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed by trained radiologists and pulmonologists on adults recruited from a community multimorbidity survey and a primary healthcare clinic in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Sputum samples were systematically collected from all participants. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound to detect tuberculosis were calculated compared to a reference standard of i) bacteriologically-confirmed tuberculosis, and ii) either bacteriologically-confirmed or radiologic tuberculosis. RESULTS Among 92 patients (53 [58%] male, mean age 41.9 [standard deviation 13.7] years, 49 [53%] HIV positive), 34 (37%) had bacteriologically-confirmed tuberculosis, 8 (9%) had radiologic tuberculosis with negative bacteriologic studies, and 50 (54%) had no evidence of active tuberculosis. Ultrasound abnormalities on either thoracic or abdominal exams were detected in 31 (91%) participants with bacteriologic tuberculosis and 27 (54%) of those without tuberculosis. Sensitivity and specificity of any ultrasound abnormality for bacteriologically-confirmed tuberculosis were 91% (95% confidence interval [CI] 76%-98%) and 46% (95% CI 32%-61%). Sensitivity and specificity of any ultrasound abnormality for either bacteriologically-confirmed or radiologic tuberculosis were 86% (95% CI 71%-95%) and 46% (95% CI 32%-61%). Overall performance did not appear to differ markedly between participants with and without HIV. CONCLUSION A comprehensive ultrasound scanning protocol in adults in a high TB burden setting had high sensitivity but low specificity to identify bacteriologically-confirmed tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Fentress
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia C Henwood
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Priya Maharaj
- Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mohammed Mitha
- Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, South Africa
| | - Dilshaad Khan
- Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, South Africa
| | - Philip Caligiuri
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Olivier
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Anita Edwards
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Dirhona Ramjit
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Nokwanda Ngcobo
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Emily B Wong
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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6
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Karat AS, McCreesh N, Baisley K, Govender I, Kallon II, Kielmann K, MacGregor H, Vassall A, Yates TA, Grant AD. Estimating waiting times, patient flow, and waiting room occupancy density as part of tuberculosis infection prevention and control research in South African primary health care clinics. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0000684. [PMID: 36962412 PMCID: PMC10021248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of respiratory pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is more likely during close, prolonged contact and when sharing a poorly ventilated space. Reducing overcrowding of health facilities is a recognised infection prevention and control (IPC) strategy; reliable estimates of waiting times and 'patient flow' would help guide implementation. As part of the Umoya omuhle study, we aimed to estimate clinic visit duration, time spent indoors versus outdoors, and occupancy density of waiting rooms in clinics in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Western Cape (WC), South Africa. We used unique barcodes to track attendees' movements in 11 clinics, multiple imputation to estimate missing arrival and departure times, and mixed-effects linear regression to examine associations with visit duration. 2,903 attendees were included. Median visit duration was 2 hours 36 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 01:36-3:43). Longer mean visit times were associated with being female (13.5 minutes longer than males; p<0.001) and attending with a baby (18.8 minutes longer than those without; p<0.01), and shorter mean times with later arrival (14.9 minutes shorter per hour after 0700; p<0.001). Overall, attendees spent more of their time indoors (median 95.6% [IQR 46-100]) than outdoors (2.5% [IQR 0-35]). Attendees at clinics with outdoor waiting areas spent a greater proportion (median 13.7% [IQR 1-75]) of their time outdoors. In two clinics in KZN (no appointment system), occupancy densities of ~2.0 persons/m2 were observed in smaller waiting rooms during busy periods. In one clinic in WC (appointment system, larger waiting areas), occupancy density did not exceed 1.0 persons/m2 despite higher overall attendance. In this study, longer waiting times were associated with early arrival, being female, and attending with a young child. Occupancy of waiting rooms varied substantially between rooms and over the clinic day. Light-touch estimation of occupancy density may help guide interventions to improve patient flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathy Baisley
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Idriss I Kallon
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Karina Kielmann
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Hayley MacGregor
- The Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Vassall
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom A Yates
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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7
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Beckwith PG, Karat AS, Govender I, Deol AK, McCreesh N, Kielmann K, Baisley K, Grant AD, Yates TA. Direct estimates of absolute ventilation and estimated Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission risk in clinics in South Africa. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0000603. [PMID: 36962521 PMCID: PMC10021606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare facilities are important sites for the transmission of pathogens spread via bioaerosols, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Natural ventilation can play an important role in reducing this transmission. We aimed to measure rates of natural ventilation in clinics in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces, South Africa, then use these measurements to estimate Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission risk. We measured ventilation in clinic spaces using a tracer-gas release method. In spaces where this was not possible, we estimated ventilation using data on indoor and outdoor carbon dioxide levels. Ventilation was measured i) under usual conditions and ii) with all windows and doors fully open. Under various assumptions about infectiousness and duration of exposure, measured absolute ventilation rates were related to risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission using the Wells-Riley Equation. In 2019, we obtained ventilation measurements in 33 clinical spaces in 10 clinics: 13 consultation rooms, 16 waiting areas and 4 other clinical spaces. Under usual conditions, the absolute ventilation rate was much higher in waiting rooms (median 1769 m3/hr, range 338-4815 m3/hr) than in consultation rooms (median 197 m3/hr, range 0-1451 m3/hr). When compared with usual conditions, fully opening existing doors and windows resulted in a median two-fold increase in ventilation. Using standard assumptions about infectiousness, we estimated that a health worker would have a 24.8% annual risk of becoming infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and that a patient would have an 0.1% risk of becoming infected per visit. Opening existing doors and windows and rearranging patient pathways to preferentially use better ventilated clinic spaces result in important reductions in Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission risk. However, unless combined with other tuberculosis infection prevention and control interventions, these changes are insufficient to reduce risk to health workers, and other highly exposed individuals, to acceptable levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G Beckwith
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron S Karat
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Arminder K Deol
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karina Kielmann
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kathy Baisley
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tom A Yates
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Bozzani FM, Diaconu K, Gomez GB, Karat AS, Kielmann K, Grant AD, Vassall A. Using system dynamics modelling to estimate the costs of relaxing health system constraints: a case study of tuberculosis prevention and control interventions in South Africa. Health Policy Plan 2021; 37:369-375. [PMID: 34951631 PMCID: PMC8896337 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czab155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Health system constraints are increasingly recognized as an important addition to model-based analyses of disease control interventions, as they affect achievable impact and scale. Enabling activities implemented alongside interventions to relax constraints and reach the intended coverage may incur additional costs, which should be considered in priority setting decisions. We explore the use of group model building, a participatory system dynamics modelling technique, for eliciting information from key stakeholders on the constraints that apply to tuberculosis infection prevention and control processes within primary healthcare clinics in South Africa. This information was used to design feasible interventions, including the necessary enablers to relax existing constraints. Intervention and enabler costs were then calculated at two clinics in KwaZulu-Natal using input prices and quantities from the published literature and local suppliers. Among the proposed interventions, the most inexpensive was retrofitting buildings to improve ventilation (US$1644 per year), followed by maximizing the use of community sites for medication collection among stable patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART; US$3753) and introducing appointments systems to reduce crowding (US$9302). Enablers identified included enhanced staff training, supervision and patient engagement activities to support behaviour change and local ownership. Several of the enablers identified by the stakeholders, such as obtaining building permissions or improving information flow between levels of the health systems, were not amenable to costing. Despite this limitation, an approach to costing rooted in system dynamics modelling can be successfully applied in economic evaluations to more accurately estimate the 'real world' opportunity cost of intervention options. Further empirical research applying this approach to different intervention types (e.g. new preventive technologies or diagnostics) may identify interventions that are not cost-effective in specific contexts based on the size of the required investment in enablers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiammetta M Bozzani
- *Corresponding author. Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK. E-mail:
| | - Karin Diaconu
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Way, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK
| | - Gabriela B Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Aaron S Karat
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Way, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK,TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Karina Kielmann
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Way, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK,Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Nelson R. Mandela Medical School, 719 Umbilo Road, Umbilo, Durban 4001, South Africa,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, 27 Street, Andrews Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa
| | - Anna Vassall
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK
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9
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Govender I, Karat AS, Olivier S, Baisley K, Beckwith P, Dayi N, Dreyer J, Gareta D, Gunda R, Kielmann K, Koole O, Mhlongo N, Modise T, Moodley S, Mpofana X, Ndung'u T, Pillay D, Siedner MJ, Smit T, Surujdeen A, Wong EB, Grant AD. Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum and reported symptoms among clinic attendees compared to a community survey in rural South Africa. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 75:314-322. [PMID: 34864910 PMCID: PMC9410725 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) case finding efforts typically target symptomatic people attending health facilities. We compared the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) sputum culture-positivity among adult clinic attendees in rural South Africa with a concurrent, community-based estimate from the surrounding demographic surveillance area (DSA). METHODS Clinic: Randomly-selected adults (≥18 years) attending two primary healthcare clinics were interviewed and requested to give sputum for mycobacterial culture. HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) status were based on self-report and record review. Community: All adult (≥15 years) DSA residents were invited to a mobile clinic for health screening, including serological HIV testing; those with ≥1 TB symptom (cough, weight loss, night sweats, fever) or abnormal chest radiograph were asked for sputum. RESULTS Clinic: 2,055 patients were enrolled (76.9% female, median age 36 years); 1,479 (72.0%) were classified HIV-positive (98.9% on ART) and 131 (6.4%) reported ≥1 TB symptom. Of 20/2,055 (1.0% [95% CI 0.6-1.5]) with Mtb culture-positive sputum, 14 (70%) reported no symptoms. Community: 10,320 residents were enrolled (68.3% female, median age 38 years); 3,105 (30.3%) tested HIV-positive (87.4% on ART) and 1,091 (10.6%) reported ≥1 TB symptom. Of 58/10,320 (0.6% [95% CI 0.4-0.7]) with Mtb culture-positive sputum, 45 (77.6%) reported no symptoms.In both surveys, sputum culture positivity was associated with male sex and reporting >1 TB symptom. CONCLUSIONS In both clinic and community settings, most participants with Mtb culture-positive sputum were asymptomatic. TB screening based only on symptoms will miss many people with active disease in both settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Olivier
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Kathy Baisley
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Beckwith
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Njabulo Dayi
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Jaco Dreyer
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Dickman Gareta
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Resign Gunda
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Karina Kielmann
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Olivier Koole
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Ngcebo Mhlongo
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Tshwaraganang Modise
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Sashen Moodley
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Xolile Mpofana
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Thumbi Ndung'u
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Deenan Pillay
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,Division of Infection & Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J Siedner
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States of America
| | - Theresa Smit
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Ashmika Surujdeen
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
| | - Emily B Wong
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,Division of Infection & Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States of America.,Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, United States of America.,Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa.,School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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10
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Dheda K, Charalambous S, Karat AS, von Delft A, Lalloo UG, van Zyl Smit R, Perumal R, Allwood BW, Esmail A, Wong ML, Duse AG, Richards G, Feldman C, Mer M, Nyamande K, Lalla U, Koegelenberg CFN, Venter F, Dawood H, Adams S, Ntusi NAB, van der Westhuizen HM, Moosa MYS, Martinson NA, Moultrie H, Nel J, Hausler H, Preiser W, Lasersohn L, Zar HJ, Churchyard GJ. A position statement and practical guide to the use of particulate filtering facepiece respirators (N95, FFP2, or equivalent) for South African health workers exposed to respiratory pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2. Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med 2021; 27:10.7196/AJTCCM.2021.v27i4.173. [PMID: 34734176 PMCID: PMC8545268 DOI: 10.7196/ajtccm.2021.v27i4.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted mainly by aerosol in particles <10 µm that can remain suspended for hours before being inhaled. Because particulate filtering facepiece respirators ('respirators'; e.g. N95 masks) are more effective than surgical masks against bio-aerosols, many international organisations now recommend that health workers (HWs) wear a respirator when caring for individuals who may have COVID-19. In South Africa (SA), however, surgical masks are still recommended for the routine care of individuals with possible or confirmed COVID-19, with respirators reserved for so-called aerosol-generating procedures. In contrast, SA guidelines do recommend respirators for routine care of individuals with possible or confirmed tuberculosis (TB), which is also transmitted via aerosol. In health facilities in SA, distinguishing between TB and COVID-19 is challenging without examination and investigation, both of which may expose HWs to potentially infectious individuals. Symptom-based triage has limited utility in defining risk. Indeed, significant proportions of individuals with COVID-19 and/or pulmonary TB may not have symptoms and/or test negative. The prevalence of undiagnosed respiratory disease is therefore likely significant in many general clinical areas (e.g. waiting areas). Moreover, a proportion of HWs are HIV-positive and are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and death. RECOMMENDATIONS Sustained improvements in infection prevention and control (IPC) require reorganisation of systems to prioritise HW and patient safety. While this will take time, it is unacceptable to leave HWs exposed until such changes are made. We propose that the SA health system adopts a target of 'zero harm', aiming to eliminate transmission of respiratory pathogens to all individuals in every healthcare setting. Accordingly, we recommend: the use of respirators by all staff (clinical and non-clinical) during activities that involve contact or sharing air in indoor spaces with individuals who: (i) have not yet been clinically evaluated; or (ii) are thought or known to have TB and/or COVID-19 or other potentially harmful respiratory infections;the use of respirators that meet national and international manufacturing standards;evaluation of all respirators, at the least, by qualitative fit testing; andthe use of respirators as part of a 'package of care' in line with international IPC recommendations. We recognise that this will be challenging, not least due to global and national shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). SA national policy around respiratory protective equipment enables a robust framework for manufacture and quality control and has been supported by local manufacturers and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. Respirator manufacturers should explore adaptations to improve comfort and reduce barriers to communication. Structural changes are needed urgently to improve the safety of health facilities: persistent advocacy and research around potential systems change remain essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Dheda
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine and UCT Lung Institute and South African MRC/UCT Centre for
the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - A S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - A von Delft
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- TB Proof, South Africa
| | - U G Lalloo
- Gateway Private Hospital Medical Centre, Umhlanga Ridge, South Africa
- Durban International Clinical Research Site, Durban, South Africa
| | - R van Zyl Smit
- Division of Pulmonology and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - R Perumal
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine and UCT Lung Institute and South African MRC/UCT Centre for
the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - B W Allwood
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - A Esmail
- Clinical Trials Unit, University of Cape Town Lung Institute, South Africa
| | - M L Wong
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - A G Duse
- Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology of the NHLS & University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - G Richards
- Department of Critical Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - C Feldman
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - M Mer
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - K Nyamande
- Department of Pulmonology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - U Lalla
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C F N Koegelenberg
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - F Venter
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - H Dawood
- Greys Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - S Adams
- Division of Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - N A B Ntusi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - H-M van der Westhuizen
- TB Proof, South Africa
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - M-Y S Moosa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Southern African HIV Clinicians Society
| | - N A Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - H Moultrie
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - J Nel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - H Hausler
- TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - W Preiser
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and National Health Laboratory Service Tygerberg, Cape Town,
South Africa
| | - L Lasersohn
- South African Society of Anaesthesiologists
- Department of Anaesthesia, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Critical Care, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - H J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Red Cross Children’s Hospital and SAMRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - G J Churchyard
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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11
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Beckwith P, Tlali M, Charalambous S, Churchyard GJ, Fielding KL, Hoffmann CJ, Johnson S, Wood N, Grant AD, Karat AS. Causes and Outcomes of Admission and Investigation of Tuberculosis in Adults with Advanced HIV in South African Hospitals: Data from the TB Fast Track Trial. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 105:1662-1671. [PMID: 34662866 PMCID: PMC8641325 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of hospitalization and in-hospital mortality in HIV-positive adults. Using data from hospital and clinic files, research databases, and autopsy, we describe causes and outcomes of admissions, and assess investigations for TB among adults with advanced HIV who were hospitalized after enrollment into the TB Fast Track trial in South Africa (2013–2015). A total of 251 adults [median CD4 count, 37.5 cells/μL; interquartile range, 14–68 cells/µL; 152 (60.6%) on antiretroviral therapy] experienced 304 admissions. Ninety-five of 251 of the first admissions (37.8%) were TB related; the next most common causes were AIDS-related illnesses (41 of 251, 16.3%) and surgical causes (21 of 251, 8.4%). Of those admitted with previously undiagnosed TB, 60% had CD4 counts less than 50 cells/µL. Overall, 137 of 251 individuals died as inpatients or within 90 days of their first discharge. Case fatality rates were particularly high for those admitted with TB (66%) and bacterial infections (80%). In 144 admissions for whom anti-TB treatment had not been started before admission, a sputum-based TB investigation was recorded in only 12 of 57 admissions (21.1%) in whom one or more TB symptom was recorded (24 of 57 started on treatment), and 6 of 87 admissions (6.9%) in whom no TB symptoms were recorded (14 of 87 started on treatment). Hospitalized adults with advanced HIV are at high risk of death. TB was a common cause of hospitalization but was under-investigated, even in those with symptoms. In addition to early identification of TB and other AIDS-related illnesses during hospitalization of adults with advanced HIV, improved pre-hospital management strategies are needed to interrupt disease progression and reduce poor outcomes in this already vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Beckwith
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mpho Tlali
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gavin J Churchyard
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Advancing Care and Treatment for TB and HIV, South African Medical Research Council. Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Katherine L Fielding
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Suzanne Johnson
- Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Natalie Wood
- North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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12
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McCreesh N, Karat AS, Baisley K, Diaconu K, Bozzani F, Govender I, Beckwith P, Yates TA, Deol AK, Houben RMGJ, Kielmann K, White RG, Grant AD. Modelling the effect of infection prevention and control measures on rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission to clinic attendees in primary health clinics in South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e007124. [PMID: 34697087 PMCID: PMC8547367 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated rates of tuberculosis in healthcare workers demonstrate the high rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmission in health facilities in high-burden settings. In the context of a project taking a whole systems approach to tuberculosis infection prevention and control (IPC), we aimed to evaluate the potential impact of conventional and novel IPC measures on Mtb transmission to patients and other clinic attendees. METHODS An individual-based model of patient movements through clinics, ventilation in waiting areas, and Mtb transmission was developed, and parameterised using empirical data from eight clinics in two provinces in South Africa. Seven interventions-codeveloped with health professionals and policy-makers-were simulated: (1) queue management systems with outdoor waiting areas, (2) ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems, (3) appointment systems, (4) opening windows and doors, (5) surgical mask wearing by clinic attendees, (6) simple clinic retrofits and (7) increased coverage of long antiretroviral therapy prescriptions and community medicine collection points through the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) service. RESULTS In the model, (1) outdoor waiting areas reduced the transmission to clinic attendees by 83% (IQR 76%-88%), (2) UVGI by 77% (IQR 64%-85%), (3) appointment systems by 62% (IQR 45%-75%), (4) opening windows and doors by 55% (IQR 25%-72%), (5) masks by 47% (IQR 42%-50%), (6) clinic retrofits by 45% (IQR 16%-64%) and (7) increasing the coverage of CCMDD by 22% (IQR 12%-32%). CONCLUSIONS The majority of the interventions achieved median reductions in the rate of transmission to clinic attendees of at least 45%, meaning that a range of highly effective intervention options are available, that can be tailored to the local context. Measures that are not traditionally considered to be IPC interventions, such as appointment systems, may be as effective as more traditional IPC measures, such as mask wearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Institute for Global Health & Development, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Kathy Baisley
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Diaconu
- Institute for Global Health & Development, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Fiammetta Bozzani
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Peter Beckwith
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Tom A Yates
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Arminder K Deol
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rein M G J Houben
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karina Kielmann
- Institute for Global Health & Development, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Richard G White
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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13
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Deol AK, Scarponi D, Beckwith P, Yates TA, Karat AS, Yan AWC, Baisley KS, Grant AD, White RG, McCreesh N. Estimating ventilation rates in rooms with varying occupancy levels: Relevance for reducing transmission risk of airborne pathogens. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253096. [PMID: 34166388 PMCID: PMC8224849 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In light of the role that airborne transmission plays in the spread of SARS-CoV-2, as well as the ongoing high global mortality from well-known airborne diseases such as tuberculosis and measles, there is an urgent need for practical ways of identifying congregate spaces where low ventilation levels contribute to high transmission risk. Poorly ventilated clinic spaces in particular may be high risk, due to the presence of both infectious and susceptible people. While relatively simple approaches to estimating ventilation rates exist, the approaches most frequently used in epidemiology cannot be used where occupancy varies, and so cannot be reliably applied in many of the types of spaces where they are most needed. METHODS The aim of this study was to demonstrate the use of a non-steady state method to estimate the absolute ventilation rate, which can be applied in rooms where occupancy levels vary. We used data from a room in a primary healthcare clinic in a high TB and HIV prevalence setting, comprising indoor and outdoor carbon dioxide measurements and head counts (by age), taken over time. Two approaches were compared: approach 1 using a simple linear regression model and approach 2 using an ordinary differential equation model. RESULTS The absolute ventilation rate, Q, using approach 1 was 2407 l/s [95% CI: 1632-3181] and Q from approach 2 was 2743 l/s [95% CI: 2139-4429]. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate two methods that can be used to estimate ventilation rate in busy congregate settings, such as clinic waiting rooms. Both approaches produced comparable results, however the simple linear regression method has the advantage of not requiring room volume measurements. These methods can be used to identify poorly-ventilated spaces, allowing measures to be taken to reduce the airborne transmission of pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, measles, and SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arminder K. Deol
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, TB Centre, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Danny Scarponi
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, TB Centre, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Beckwith
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Tom A. Yates
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron S. Karat
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, TB Centre, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ada W. C. Yan
- Section of Immunology of Infection, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathy S. Baisley
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D. Grant
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, TB Centre, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Richard G. White
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, TB Centre, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicky McCreesh
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, TB Centre, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Tlali M, Fielding KL, Karat AS, Hoffmann CJ, Muravha T, Grant AD, Charalambous S. Sensitivity of the lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan assay in ambulant adults with advanced HIV disease: data from the TB Fast Track study. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 114:556-560. [PMID: 32313941 PMCID: PMC7405171 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background WHO guidelines recommend the lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan assay (LF-LAM) for TB diagnosis in hospitalised HIV-positive individuals. The role of LF-LAM among ambulant patients remains less well defined. We investigated the sensitivity of LF-LAM among ambulant HIV-positive adults in primary health clinics in South Africa. Methods We enrolled adults (aged ≥18 y) with CD4 counts of ≤150 cells/mm3 who had not received TB treatment or antiretroviral therapy in the preceding 3 or 6 mo, respectively. Research nurses performed the LF-LAM test on freshly voided urine. Results were compared with a reference standard of positive mycobacterial culture (sputum or urine). Results Of 1505 (54.5% female; median age 37 y; median CD4 count 73 cells/mm3) participants, 973 (64.7%) had a mycobacterial culture result; 105/973 (10.8%) were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. LF-LAM sensitivity was 41.9% (95% CI 32.3 to 51.9%) and 19.0% (95% CI 12.0 to 27.9%) using grade 1+ and grade 2+ cut-off points, respectively. Sensitivity increased with severe immunosuppression and in the presence of poor prognostic indicators (low haemoglobin, body mass index). Conclusions When used as the only TB diagnostic test, LF-LAM sensitivity is suboptimal, particularly using the grade 2+ cut-off. More sensitive tests for TB are needed that can be used in primary care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mpho Tlali
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Katherine L Fielding
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | | | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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15
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Jones ASK, Bidad N, Horne R, Stagg HR, Wurie FB, Kielmann K, Karat AS, Kunst H, Campbell CNJ, Darvell M, Clarke AL, Lipman MCI. Determinants of non-adherence to anti-TB treatment in high income, low TB incidence settings: a scoping review. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2021; 25:483-490. [PMID: 34049611 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.21.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Improving adherence to anti-TB treatment is a public health priority in high-income, low incidence (HILI) regions. We conducted a scoping review to identify reported determinants of non-adherence in HILI settings.METHODS: Key terms related to TB, treatment and adherence were used to search MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO and CINAHL in June 2019. Quantitative studies examining determinants (demographic, clinical, health systems or psychosocial) of non-adherence to anti-TB treatment in HILI settings were included.RESULTS: From 10,801 results, we identified 24 relevant studies from 10 countries. Definitions and methods of assessing adherence were highly variable, as were documented levels of non-adherence (0.9-89%). Demographic factors were assessed in all studies and clinical factors were frequently assessed (23/24). Determinants commonly associated with non-adherence were homelessness, incarceration, and alcohol or drug misuse. Health system (8/24) and psychosocial factors (6/24) were less commonly evaluated.CONCLUSION: Our review identified some key factors associated with non-adherence to anti-TB treatment in HILI settings. Modifiable determinants such as psychosocial factors are under-evidenced and should be further explored, as these may be better targeted by adherence support. There is an urgent need to standardise definitions and measurement of adherence to more accurately identify the strongest determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S K Jones
- Centre for Behavioural Medicine, Research Department of Practice and Policy, University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, London, UK
| | - N Bidad
- Centre for Behavioural Medicine, Research Department of Practice and Policy, University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, London, UK
| | - R Horne
- Centre for Behavioural Medicine, Research Department of Practice and Policy, University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, London, UK
| | - H R Stagg
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - F B Wurie
- Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL, London, UK, Migrant Health, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - K Kielmann
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - A S Karat
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland, TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - H Kunst
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - M Darvell
- UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, UCL, London, UK
| | - A L Clarke
- Centre for Behavioural Medicine, Research Department of Practice and Policy, University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, London, UK
| | - M C I Lipman
- UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, UCL, London, UK, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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16
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McCreesh N, Grant AD, Yates TA, Karat AS, White RG. Tuberculosis from transmission in clinics in high HIV settings may be far higher than contact data suggest. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2021; 24:403-408. [PMID: 32317064 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.19.0410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In South Africa, it is generally estimated that only 0.5-0.6% of people's contacts occur in clinics. Both people with infectious tuberculosis and people with increased susceptibility to disease progression may spend more time in clinics, however, increasing the importance of clinic-based transmission to overall disease incidence.METHODS: We developed an illustrative mathematical model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission in clinics and other settings. We assumed that 1% of contact time occurs in clinics. We varied the ratio of clinic contact time of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive people compared to HIV-negative people, and of people with infectious TB compared to people without TB, while keeping the overall proportion of contact time occurring in clinics, and each person's total contact time, constant.RESULTS: With clinic contact rates respectively 10 and 5 times higher in HIV-positive people and people with TB, 10.7% (plausible range 8.5-13.4%) of TB resulted from transmission in clinics. With contact rates in HIV-positive people and people with TB respectively 5 and 2 times higher, 5.3% (plausible range 4.3-6.3%) of all TB was due to transmission in clinics.CONCLUSION: The small amount of contact time that generally occurs in clinics may greatly underestimate their contribution to TB disease in high TB-HIV burden settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- N McCreesh
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London
| | - A D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK, Africa Health Research Institute, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - T A Yates
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Imperial College London, London, Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - A S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - R G White
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London
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17
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Osman M, Karat AS, Khan M, Meehan SA, von Delft A, Brey Z, Charalambous S, Hesseling AC, Naidoo P, Loveday M. Health system determinants of tuberculosis mortality in South Africa: a causal loop model. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:388. [PMID: 33902565 PMCID: PMC8074279 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06398-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern in South Africa and TB-related mortality remains unacceptably high. Numerous clinical studies have examined the direct causes of TB-related mortality, but its wider, systemic drivers are less well understood. Applying systems thinking, we aimed to identify factors underlying TB mortality in South Africa and describe their relationships. At a meeting organised by the ‘Optimising TB Treatment Outcomes’ task team of the National TB Think Tank, we drew on the wide expertise of attendees to identify factors underlying TB mortality in South Africa. We generated a causal loop diagram to illustrate how these factors relate to each other. Results Meeting attendees identified nine key variables: three ‘drivers’ (adequacy & availability of tools, implementation of guidelines, and the burden of bureaucracy); three ‘links’ (integration of health services, integration of data systems, and utilisation of prevention strategies); and three ‘outcomes’ (accessibility of services, patient empowerment, and socio-economic status). Through the development and refinement of the causal loop diagram, additional explanatory and linking variables were added and three important reinforcing loops identified. Loop 1, ‘Leadership and management for outcomes’ illustrated that poor leadership led to increased bureaucracy and reduced the accessibility of TB services, which increased TB-related mortality and reinforced poor leadership through patient empowerment. Loop 2, ‘Prevention and structural determinants’ describes the complex reinforcing loop between socio-economic status, patient empowerment, the poor uptake of TB and HIV prevention strategies and increasing TB mortality. Loop 3, ‘System capacity’ describes how fragmented leadership and limited resources compromise the workforce and the performance and accessibility of TB services, and how this negatively affects the demand for higher levels of stewardship. Conclusions Strengthening leadership, reducing bureaucracy, improving integration across all levels of the system, increasing health care worker support, and using windows of opportunity to target points of leverage within the South African health system are needed to both strengthen the system and reduce TB mortality. Further refinement of this model may allow for the identification of additional areas of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Osman
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Munira Khan
- Tuberculosis and HIV Investigative Network (THINK), Durban, South Africa
| | - Sue-Ann Meehan
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Arne von Delft
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,TB Proof, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zameer Brey
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Parktown, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anneke C Hesseling
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Pren Naidoo
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marian Loveday
- HIV Prevention Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council-CAPRISA-HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit, Durban, South Africa
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18
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Calderwood CJ, Wilson JP, Fielding KL, Harris RC, Karat AS, Mansukhani R, Falconer J, Bergstrom M, Johnson SM, McCreesh N, Monk EJM, Odayar J, Scott PJ, Stokes SA, Theodorou H, Moore DAJ. Dynamics of sputum conversion during effective tuberculosis treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003566. [PMID: 33901173 PMCID: PMC8109831 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two weeks' isolation is widely recommended for people commencing treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The evidence that this corresponds to clearance of potentially infectious tuberculous mycobacteria in sputum is not well established. This World Health Organization-commissioned review investigated sputum sterilisation dynamics during TB treatment. METHODS AND FINDINGS For the main analysis, 2 systematic literature searches of OvidSP MEDLINE, Embase, and Global Health, and EBSCO CINAHL Plus were conducted to identify studies with data on TB infectiousness (all studies to search date, 1 December 2017) and all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for drug-susceptible TB (from 1 January 1990 to search date, 20 February 2018). Included articles reported on patients receiving effective treatment for culture-confirmed drug-susceptible pulmonary TB. The outcome of interest was sputum bacteriological conversion: the proportion of patients having converted by a defined time point or a summary measure of time to conversion, assessed by smear or culture. Any study design with 10 or more particpants was considered. Record sifting and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Random effects meta-analyses were performed. A narrative summary additionally describes the results of a systematic search for data evaluating infectiousness from humans to experimental animals (PubMed, all studies to 27 March 2018). Other evidence on duration of infectiousness-including studies reporting on cough dynamics, human tuberculin skin test conversion, or early bactericidal activity of TB treatments-was outside the scope of this review. The literature search was repeated on 22 November 2020, at the request of the editors, to identify studies published after the previous censor date. Four small studies reporting 3 different outcome measures were identified, which included no data that would alter the findings of the review; they are not included in the meta-analyses. Of 5,290 identified records, 44 were included. Twenty-seven (61%) were RCTs and 17 (39%) were cohort studies. Thirteen studies (30%) reported data from Africa, 12 (27%) from Asia, 6 (14%) from South America, 5 (11%) from North America, and 4 (9%) from Europe. Four studies reported data from multiple continents. Summary estimates suggested smear conversion in 9% of patients at 2 weeks (95% CI 3%-24%, 1 single study [N = 1]), and 82% of patients at 2 months of treatment (95% CI 78%-86%, N = 10). Among baseline smear-positive patients, solid culture conversion occurred by 2 weeks in 5% (95% CI 0%-14%, N = 2), increasing to 88% at 2 months (95% CI 84%-92%, N = 20). At equivalent time points, liquid culture conversion was achieved in 3% (95% CI 1%-16%, N = 1) and 59% (95% CI 47%-70%, N = 8). Significant heterogeneity was observed. Further interrogation of the data to explain this heterogeneity was limited by the lack of disaggregation of results, including by factors such as HIV status, baseline smear status, and the presence or absence of lung cavitation. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review found that most patients remained culture positive at 2 weeks of TB treatment, challenging the view that individuals are not infectious after this interval. Culture positivity is, however, only 1 component of infectiousness, with reduced cough frequency and aerosol generation after TB treatment initiation likely to also be important. Studies that integrate our findings with data on cough dynamics could provide a more complete perspective on potential transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by individuals on treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION Systematic review registration: PROSPERO 85226.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James P. Wilson
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rebecca C. Harris
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron S. Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Raoul Mansukhani
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Falconer
- Library & Archives Service, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Malin Bergstrom
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah M. Johnson
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edward J. M. Monk
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jasantha Odayar
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Peter J. Scott
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah A. Stokes
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Theodorou
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A. J. Moore
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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19
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Karat AS, Jones AS, Abubakar I, Campbell CN, Clarke AL, Clarke CS, Darvell M, Hill AT, Horne R, Kunst H, Mandelbaum M, Marshall BG, McSparron C, Rahman A, Stagg HR, White J, Lipman MC, Kielmann K. " You have to change your whole life": A qualitative study of the dynamics of treatment adherence among adults with tuberculosis in the United Kingdom. J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis 2021; 23:100233. [PMID: 33898764 PMCID: PMC8059079 DOI: 10.1016/j.jctube.2021.100233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintaining adherence to treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is essential if the disease is to be eliminated. As part of formative research to develop an intervention to improve adherence, we documented the lived experiences of adults receiving anti-TB treatment (ATT) in three UK cities and examined how personal, social, and structural circumstances interacted to impact on individuals’ adherence to treatment. Using a topic guide that explored social circumstances and experiences of TB care, we conducted in-depth interviews with 18 adults (six women) who were being or had been treated for TB (patients) and four adults (all women) who were caring for a friend, relative, or partner being treated for TB (caregivers). We analysed transcripts using an adapted framework method that classified factors affecting adherence as personal, social, structural, health systems, or treatment-related. Eleven of 18 patients were born outside the UK (in South, Central, and East Asia, and Eastern and Southern Africa); among the seven who were UK-born, four were Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic and three were White British. TB and its treatment were often disruptive: in addition to debilitating symptoms and side effects of ATT, participants faced job insecurity, unstable housing, stigma, social isolation, worsening mental health, and damaged relationships. Those who had a strong support network, stable employment, a routine that could easily be adapted, a trusting relationship with their TB team, and clear understanding of the need for treatment reported finding it easier to adhere to ATT. Changes in circumstances sometimes had dramatic effects on an individual’s ability to take ATT; participants described how the impact of certain acute events (e.g., the onset of side effects or fatigue, episodes of stigmatisation, loss of income) were amplified by their timing or through their interaction with other elements of the individual’s life. We suggest that the dynamic and fluctuating nature of these factors necessitates comprehensive and regular review of needs and potential problems, conducted before and during ATT; this, coupled with supportive measures that consider (and seek to mitigate) the influence of social and structural factors, may help improve adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S. Karat
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Way, Musselburgh, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, United Kingdom
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
- Corresponding authors at: Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Way, Musselburgh, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, United Kingdom (A.S. Karat).
| | - Annie S.K. Jones
- Centre for Behavioural Medicine, Research Department of Practice and Policy, UCL School of Pharmacy, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim Abubakar
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Colin N.J. Campbell
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
- Respiratory Diseases Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Wellington House, 133–155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
| | - Amy L. Clarke
- Centre for Behavioural Medicine, Research Department of Practice and Policy, UCL School of Pharmacy, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline S. Clarke
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, UCL Medical School, Upper 3rd Floor, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
- Priment Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, UCL Medical School, Upper 3rd Floor, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Marcia Darvell
- UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, UCL Medical School, Level 1, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Adam T. Hill
- Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Horne
- Centre for Behavioural Medicine, Research Department of Practice and Policy, UCL School of Pharmacy, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP, United Kingdom
| | - Heinke Kunst
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ben G. Marshall
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Ceri McSparron
- NHS Lothian, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, United Kingdom
| | - Ananna Rahman
- Barts Health NHS Trust, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR, United Kingdom
| | - Helen R. Stagg
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, MacKenzie House, 30 West Richmond Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DX, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqui White
- Whittington Health NHS Trust, The Whittington Hospital, Magdala Avenue, London N19 5NF, United Kingdom
| | - Marc C.I. Lipman
- UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, UCL Medical School, Level 1, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Karina Kielmann
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Way, Musselburgh, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, United Kingdom
- Corresponding authors at: Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Way, Musselburgh, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, United Kingdom (A.S. Karat).
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20
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Karat AS, Gregg M, Barton HE, Calderon M, Ellis J, Falconer J, Govender I, Harris RC, Tlali M, Moore DAJ, Fielding KL. Evidence for the Use of Triage, Respiratory Isolation, and Effective Treatment to Reduce the Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:155-172. [PMID: 32502258 PMCID: PMC7823078 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence is limited for infection prevention and control (IPC) measures reducing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) transmission in health facilities. This systematic review, 1 of 7 commissioned by the World Health Organization to inform the 2019 update of global tuberculosis (TB) IPC guidelines, asked: do triage and/or isolation and/or effective treatment of TB disease reduce MTB transmission in healthcare settings? Of 25 included articles, 19 reported latent TB infection (LTBI) incidence in healthcare workers (HCWs; absolute risk reductions 1%-21%); 5 reported TB disease incidence in HCWs (no/slight [high TB burden] or moderate [low burden] reduction) and 2 in human immunodeficiency virus-positive in-patients (6%-29% reduction). In total, 23/25 studies implemented multiple IPC measures; effects of individual measures could not be disaggregated. Packages of IPC measures appeared to reduce MTB transmission, but evidence for effectiveness of triage, isolation, or effective treatment, alone or in combination, was indirect and low quality. Harmonizing study designs and reporting frameworks will permit formal data syntheses and facilitate policy making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Meghann Gregg
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah E Barton
- University College Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jayne Ellis
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Falconer
- Library and Archives Service, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca C Harris
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mpho Tlali
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research (CIDER), School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David A J Moore
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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21
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Mzembe T, Lessells R, Karat AS, Randera-Rees S, Edwards A, Khan P, Tomita A, Tanser F, Baisley K, Grant AD. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection Among Adolescents in Rural South Africa. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofaa520. [PMID: 33511219 PMCID: PMC7814392 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to estimate the prevalence of and explore risk factors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among adolescents in a high tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence setting. METHODS A cross-sectional study of adolescents (10-19 years) randomly selected from a demographic surveillance area (DSA) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We determined M tuberculosis infection status using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold-plus assay. We used HIV data from the DSA to estimate community-level adult HIV prevalence and random-effects logistic regression to identify risk factors for TB infection. RESULTS We enrolled 1094 adolescents (548 [50.1%] female); M tuberculosis infection prevalence (weighted for nonresponse by age, sex, and urban/rural residence) was 23.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.6-25.6%). Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.10-1.71, for increasing age-group [12-14, 15-17, and 18-19 vs 10-11 years]), ever (vs never) having a household TB contact (aOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.25-3.64), and increasing community-level HIV prevalence (aOR, 1.43 and 95% CI, 1.07-1.92, for increasing HIV prevalence category [25%-34.9%, 35%-44.9%, ≥45% vs <25%]). CONCLUSIONS Our data support prioritizing TB prevention and care activities in TB-affected households and high HIV prevalence communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Themba Mzembe
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Richard Lessells
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), UKZN, Durban, South Africa
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anita Edwards
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Palwasha Khan
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Interactive Research and Development, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Andrew Tomita
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), UKZN, Durban, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Lincoln Institute for Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kathy Baisley
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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22
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Arakelyan S, Karat AS, Jones ASK, Vidal N, Stagg HR, Darvell M, Horne R, Lipman MCI, Kielmann K. Relational Dynamics of Treatment Behavior Among Individuals with Tuberculosis in High-Income Countries: A Scoping Review. Patient Prefer Adherence 2021; 15:2137-2154. [PMID: 34584407 PMCID: PMC8464367 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s313633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although tuberculosis (TB) incidence has significantly declined in high-income, low-incidence (HILI) countries, challenges remain in managing TB in vulnerable populations who may struggle to stay on anti-TB treatment (ATT). Factors associated with non-adherence to ATT are well documented; however, adherence is often narrowly conceived as a fixed binary variable that places emphasis on individual agency and the act of taking medicines, rather than on the demands of being on treatment more broadly. Further, the mechanisms through which documented factors act upon the experience of being on treatment are poorly understood. Adopting a relational approach that emphasizes the embeddedness of individuals within dynamic social, structural, and health systems contexts, this scoping review aims to synthesize qualitative evidence on experiences of being on ATT and mechanisms through which socio-ecological factors influence adherence in HILI countries. Six electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature published in English between January 1990 and May 2020. Additional studies were obtained by searching references of included studies. Narrative synthesis was used to analyze qualitative data extracted from included studies. Of 28 included studies, the majority (86%) reported on health systems factors, followed by personal characteristics (82%), structural influences (61%), social factors (57%), and treatment-related factors (50%). Included studies highlighted three points that underpin a relational approach to ATT behavior: 1) individual motivation and capacity to take ATT is dynamic and intertwined with, rather than separate from, social, health systems, and structural factors; 2) individuals' pre-existing experiences of health-seeking influence their views on treatment and their ability to commit to long-term regular medicine-taking; and 3) social, cultural, and political contexts play an important role in mediating how specific factors work to support or hinder ATT adherence behavior in different settings. Based on our analysis, we suggest that person-centered clinical management of tuberculosis should 1) acknowledge the ways in which ATT both disrupts and is managed within the everyday lives of individuals with TB; 2) appreciate that individuals' circumstances and the support and resources they can access may change over the course of treatment; and 3) display sensitivity towards context-specific social and cultural norms affecting individual and collective experiences of being on ATT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Arakelyan
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Aaron S Karat
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Annie S K Jones
- Centre for Behavioural Medicine, Research Department of Practice and Policy, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, UK
| | - Nicole Vidal
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Helen R Stagg
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marcia Darvell
- UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robert Horne
- Centre for Behavioural Medicine, Research Department of Practice and Policy, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, UK
| | - Marc C I Lipman
- UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Karina Kielmann
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK
- Correspondence: Karina Kielmann Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Way, Edinburgh, EH216UU, UKTel +44 131 474 0000 Email
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23
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Stagg HR, Flook M, Martinecz A, Kielmann K, Abel Zur Wiesch P, Karat AS, Lipman MCI, Sloan DJ, Walker EF, Fielding KL. All nonadherence is equal but is some more equal than others? Tuberculosis in the digital era. ERJ Open Res 2020; 6:00315-2020. [PMID: 33263043 PMCID: PMC7682676 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00315-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adherence to treatment for tuberculosis (TB) has been a concern for many decades, resulting in the World Health Organization's recommendation of the direct observation of treatment in the 1990s. Recent advances in digital adherence technologies (DATs) have renewed discussion on how to best address nonadherence, as well as offering important information on dose-by-dose adherence patterns and their variability between countries and settings. Previous studies have largely focussed on percentage thresholds to delineate sufficient adherence, but this is misleading and limited, given the complex and dynamic nature of adherence over the treatment course. Instead, we apply a standardised taxonomy - as adopted by the international adherence community - to dose-by-dose medication-taking data, which divides missed doses into 1) late/noninitiation (starting treatment later than expected/not starting), 2) discontinuation (ending treatment early), and 3) suboptimal implementation (intermittent missed doses). Using this taxonomy, we can consider the implications of different forms of nonadherence for intervention and regimen design. For example, can treatment regimens be adapted to increase the "forgiveness" of common patterns of suboptimal implementation to protect against treatment failure and the development of drug resistance? Is it reasonable to treat all missed doses of treatment as equally problematic and equally common when deploying DATs? Can DAT data be used to indicate the patients that need enhanced levels of support during their treatment course? Critically, we pinpoint key areas where knowledge regarding treatment adherence is sparse and impeding scientific progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen R Stagg
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mary Flook
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Antal Martinecz
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Karina Kielmann
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Pia Abel Zur Wiesch
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,These authors contributed equally
| | - Aaron S Karat
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK.,TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,These authors contributed equally
| | - Marc C I Lipman
- UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,These authors contributed equally
| | - Derek J Sloan
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.,These authors contributed equally
| | | | - Katherine L Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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24
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Kielmann K, Karat AS, Zwama G, Colvin C, Swartz A, Voce AS, Yates TA, MacGregor H, McCreesh N, Kallon I, Vassall A, Govender I, Seeley J, Grant AD. Tuberculosis infection prevention and control: why we need a whole systems approach. Infect Dis Poverty 2020; 9:56. [PMID: 32450916 PMCID: PMC7249303 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-020-00667-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to reduce transmission of drug-resistant and drug-sensitive tuberculosis (TB) in health facilities are well described but poorly implemented. The implementation of TB IPC has been assessed primarily through quantitative and structured approaches that treat administrative, environmental, and personal protective measures as discrete entities. We present an on-going project entitled Umoya omuhle ("good air"), conducted in two provinces of South Africa, that adopts an interdisciplinary, 'whole systems' approach to problem analysis and intervention development for reducing nosocomial transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) through improved IPC. We suggest that TB IPC represents a complex intervention that is delivered within a dynamic context shaped by policy guidelines, health facility space, infrastructure, organisation of care, and management culture. Methods drawn from epidemiology, anthropology, and health policy and systems research enable rich contextual analysis of how nosocomial Mtb transmission occurs, as well as opportunities to address the problem holistically. A 'whole systems' approach can identify leverage points within the health facility infrastructure and organisation of care that can inform the design of interventions to reduce the risk of nosocomial Mtb transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Kielmann
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, EH21 6UU UK
| | - Aaron S. Karat
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, EH21 6UU UK
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gimenne Zwama
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, EH21 6UU UK
| | - Christopher Colvin
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alison Swartz
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna S. Voce
- Discipline Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tom A. Yates
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Hayley MacGregor
- The Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Idriss Kallon
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna Vassall
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Janet Seeley
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Alison D. Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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25
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Wake RM, Govender NP, Omar T, Nel C, Mazanderani AH, Karat AS, Ismail NA, Tiemessen CT, Jarvis JN, Harrison TS. Cryptococcal-related Mortality Despite Fluconazole Preemptive Treatment in a Cryptococcal Antigen Screen-and-Treat Program. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 70:1683-1690. [PMID: 31179488 PMCID: PMC7346756 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening and treatment with preemptive fluconazole reduces the incidence of clinically evident cryptococcal meningitis in individuals living with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. However, mortality remains higher in CrAg-positive than in CrAg-negative patients with similar CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts. METHODS We conducted a cohort study to investigate causes of morbidity and mortality during 6 months of follow-up among asymptomatic CrAg-positive and CrAg-negative (ratio of 1:2) patients living with HIV with CD4 counts <100 cells/µL attending 2 hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa. When possible, minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) was performed on participants who died. RESULTS Sixty-seven CrAg-positive and 134 CrAg-negative patients were enrolled. Death occurred in 17/67 (25%) CrAg-positive and 12/134 (9%) CrAg-negative participants (hazard ratio for death, adjusted for CD4 count, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.7; P = .006). Cryptococcal disease was an immediate or contributing cause of death in 12/17 (71%) CrAg-positive participants. Postmortem cryptococcal meningitis and pulmonary cryptococcosis were identified at MIA in all 4 CrAg-positive participants, 3 of whom had negative cerebrospinal fluid CrAg tests from lumbar punctures (LPs) at the time of CrAg screening. CONCLUSIONS Cryptococcal disease was an important cause of mortality among asymptomatic CrAg-positive participants despite LPs to identify and treat those with subclinical cryptococcal meningitis and preemptive fluconazole for those without meningitis. Thorough investigation for cryptococcal disease with LPs and blood cultures, prompt ART initiation, and more intensive antifungals may reduce mortality among asymptomatic CrAg-positive patients identified through screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Wake
- Centre for Healthcare-associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George’s University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Nelesh P Govender
- Centre for Healthcare-associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tanvier Omar
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
- Department of Pathology, National Health Laboratory Services, South Africa
| | - Carolina Nel
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
- Department of Pathology, National Health Laboratory Services, South Africa
| | - Ahmad Haeri Mazanderani
- Centre for HIV & STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Aaron S Karat
- Tuberculosis Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Nazir A Ismail
- Centre for Tuberculosis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Caroline T Tiemessen
- Centre for HIV & STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Joseph N Jarvis
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
- Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Gaborone
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Thomas S Harrison
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George’s University of London, United Kingdom
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26
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Grant AD, Charalambous S, Tlali M, Karat AS, Dorman SE, Hoffmann CJ, Johnson S, Vassall A, Churchyard GJ, Fielding KL. Algorithm-guided empirical tuberculosis treatment for people with advanced HIV (TB Fast Track): an open-label, cluster-randomised trial. Lancet HIV 2020; 7:e27-e37. [PMID: 31727580 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(19)30266-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis, which is often undiagnosed, is the major cause of death among HIV-positive people. We aimed to test whether the use of a clinical algorithm enabling the initiation of empirical tuberculosis treatment by nurses in primary health-care clinics would reduce mortality compared with standard of care for adults with advanced HIV disease. METHODS In this open-label cluster-randomised controlled trial, we recruited individuals from 24 primary health-care clinics in South Africa. The clinics were randomly assigned (1:1) to either deliver an intervention or routine care (control) using computer-generated random numbers. Eligible participants were HIV-positive adults (aged ≥18 years) with CD4 counts of 150 cells per μL or less, who had not had antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the past 6 months or tuberculosis treatment in the past 3 months, and did not require urgent hospital referral. In intervention clinics, study nurses assessed participants on the basis of tuberculosis symptoms, body-mass index, point-of-care haemoglobin concentrations, and urine lipoarabinomannan assay results. Participants classified by a study algorithm as having high probability of tuberculosis (positive urine lipoarabinomannan assay, body-mass index <18·5 kg/m2, or haemoglobin concentration <100 g/L) were recommended to start tuberculosis treatment immediately followed by ART 2 weeks later; participants classified as medium probability (tuberculosis symptoms, no high probability criteria) were recommended to have symptom-guided investigation; and participants classified as low probability (no tuberculosis symptoms or high probability criteria) were recommended to start ART immediately. In standard-of-care clinics, participants received treatment in accordance with South African guidelines. Investigators and participants were aware of treatment allocation. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 6 months, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was also analysed in the intention-to treat population. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN35344604, and the South African National Clinical Trials Register, DOH-27-0812-3902. FINDINGS Between Dec 19, 2012, and Dec 18, 2014, 3091 individuals were screened for eligibility, of whom 3053 were recruited, and 3022 (1507 participants in the intervention group and 1515 participants in the control group) were analysed for the primary outcome. 930 (61·7%) of 1507 participants in the intervention group versus 172 (11·4%) of 1515 participants in the control group had started tuberculosis treatment by 2 months. At 6 months, the mortality rate was 19·0 deaths per 100 person-years for the intervention group versus 21·6 deaths per 100 person-years in the control group (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·92, 95% CI 0·67-1·26, p=0·58; adjusted HR 0·87, 0·61-1·24, p=0·41). 28 (1·9%) of 1507 participants in the intervention group and ten (0·7%) of 1515 participants in the control group reported serious or severe adverse events. Grade 3 or 4 nausea and vomiting was the most common adverse event (ten participants in the intervention group and four participants in the control group). Among participants with adverse events, eight participants (six participants in the intervention group and two participants in the control group) died; none of the six deaths in the intervention group were attributed to the study intervention. INTERPRETATION Our intervention substantially increased coverage of tuberculosis treatment in this high-risk population, but did not reduce mortality. FUNDING Joint Global Health Trials (Medical Research Council, Department for International Development, Wellcome Trust).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Africa Health Research Institute, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Salome Charalambous
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mpho Tlali
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susan E Dorman
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Suzanne Johnson
- Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Anna Vassall
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gavin J Churchyard
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa; Advancing Care and Treatment for TB/HIV, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Katherine L Fielding
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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27
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Karat AS, Omar T, Tlali M, Charalambous S, Chihota VN, Churchyard GJ, Fielding KL, Martinson NA, McCarthy KM, Grant AD. Lessons learnt conducting minimally invasive autopsies in private mortuaries as part of HIV and tuberculosis research in South Africa. Public Health Action 2019; 9:186-190. [PMID: 32042614 DOI: 10.5588/pha.19.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Current estimates of the burden of tuberculosis (TB) disease and cause-specific mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive people rely heavily on indirect methods that are less reliable for ascertaining individual-level causes of death and on mathematical models. Minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) is useful for diagnosing infectious diseases, provides a reasonable proxy for the gold standard in cause of death ascertainment (complete diagnostic autopsy) and, used routinely, could improve cause-specific mortality estimates. From our experience in performing MIAs in HIV-positive adults in private mortuaries in South Africa (during the Lesedi Kamoso Study), we describe the challenges we faced and make recommendations for the conduct of MIA in future studies or surveillance programmes, including strategies for effective communication, approaches to obtaining informed consent, risk management for staff and efficient preparation for the procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - T Omar
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - M Tlali
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - S Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - V N Chihota
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - G J Churchyard
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - K L Fielding
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - N A Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, and South African Medical Research Council Soweto Matlosana Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS and TB, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - K M McCarthy
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Public Health, Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - A D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Africa Health Research Institute, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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28
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Mukora R, Tlali M, Monkwe S, Charalambous S, Karat AS, Fielding KL, Grant AD, Vassall A. Cost of point-of-care lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan antigen testing in HIV-positive adults in South Africa. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2019; 22:1082-1087. [PMID: 30092876 PMCID: PMC6086286 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.18.0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization recommends point-of-care (POC) lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan (LF-LAM) for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in selected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive people. South Africa had 438 000 new TB episodes in 2016, 58.9% of which were contributed by HIV-positive people. LF-LAM is being considered for scale-up in South Africa. METHODS: We estimated the costs of using LF-LAM in HIV-positive adults with CD4 counts ⩽ 150 cells/μl enrolled in the TB Fast Track Trial in South Africa. We also estimated costs of POC haemoglobin (Hb), as this was used in the study algorithm. Data on clinic-level (10 intervention clinics) and above-clinic-level costs were collected. RESULTS: A total of 1307 LF-LAM tests were performed at 10 clinics over 24 months. The mean clinic-level costs were US$12.80 per patient for LF-LAM and POC Hb; LF-LAM costs were US$11.49 per patient. The mean above-clinic-level unit costs for LF-LAM were US$12.06 for clinic preparation, training, coordination and mentoring. The mean total cost of LF-LAM was US$23.55 per patient. CONCLUSION: At clinic level, the cost of LF-LAM was comparable to other TB diagnostics in South Africa. It is important to consider above-clinic-level costs for POC tests, as these may be required to support roll-out and ensure successful implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Tlali
- Aurum Institute, Johannesburg
| | | | - S Charalambous
- Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - A S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - K L Fielding
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - A D Grant
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK, Africa Health Research Institute, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - A Vassall
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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29
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Karat AS, Maraba N, Tlali M, Charalambous S, Chihota VN, Churchyard GJ, Fielding KL, Hanifa Y, Johnson S, McCarthy KM, Kahn K, Chandramohan D, Grant AD. Performance of verbal autopsy methods in estimating HIV-associated mortality among adults in South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2018; 3:e000833. [PMID: 29997907 PMCID: PMC6035502 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Verbal autopsy (VA) can be integrated into civil registration and vital statistics systems, but its accuracy in determining HIV-associated causes of death (CoD) is uncertain. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of VA questions in determining HIV status and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and compared HIV-associated mortality fractions assigned by different VA interpretation methods. METHODS Using the WHO 2012 instrument with added ART questions, VA was conducted for deaths among adults with known HIV status (356 HIV positive and 103 HIV negative) in South Africa. CoD were assigned using physician-certified VA (PCVA) and computer-coded VA (CCVA) methods and compared with documented HIV status. RESULTS The sensitivity of VA questions in detecting HIV status and ART initiation was 84.3% (95% CI 80 to 88) and 91.0% (95% CI 86 to 95); 283/356 (79.5%) HIV-positive individuals were assigned HIV-associated CoD by PCVA, 166 (46.6%) by InterVA-4.03, 201 (56.5%) by InterVA-5, and 80 (22.5%) and 289 (81.2%) by SmartVA-Analyze V.1.1.1 and V.1.2.1. Agreement between PCVA and older CCVA methods was poor (chance-corrected concordance [CCC] <0; cause-specific mortality fraction [CSMF] accuracy ≤56%) but better between PCVA and updated methods (CCC 0.21-0.75; CSMF accuracy 65%-98%). All methods were specific (specificity 87% to 96%) in assigning HIV-associated CoD. CONCLUSION All CCVA interpretation methods underestimated the HIV-associated mortality fraction compared with PCVA; InterVA-5 and SmartVA-Analyze V.1.2.1 performed better than earlier versions. Changes to VA methods and classification systems are needed to track progress towards targets for reducing HIV-associated mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Mpho Tlali
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Violet N Chihota
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gavin J Churchyard
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Katherine L Fielding
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Yasmeen Hanifa
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Suzanne Johnson
- Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kerrigan M McCarthy
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Public Health, Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana
- Epidemiology and Global Health Unit, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeâ University, Umeâ, Sweden
| | - Daniel Chandramohan
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, Somkhele, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Karat AS, Tlali M, Fielding KL, Charalambous S, Chihota VN, Churchyard GJ, Hanifa Y, Johnson S, McCarthy K, Martinson NA, Omar T, Kahn K, Chandramohan D, Grant AD. Measuring mortality due to HIV-associated tuberculosis among adults in South Africa: Comparing verbal autopsy, minimally-invasive autopsy, and research data. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174097. [PMID: 28334030 PMCID: PMC5363862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to reduce tuberculosis (TB) deaths by 95% by 2035; tracking progress requires accurate measurement of TB mortality. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes do not differentiate between HIV-associated TB and HIV more generally. Verbal autopsy (VA) is used to estimate cause of death (CoD) patterns but has mostly been validated against a suboptimal gold standard for HIV and TB. This study, conducted among HIV-positive adults, aimed to estimate the accuracy of VA in ascertaining TB and HIV CoD when compared to a reference standard derived from a variety of clinical sources including, in some, minimally-invasive autopsy (MIA). METHODS AND FINDINGS Decedents were enrolled into a trial of empirical TB treatment or a cohort exploring diagnostic algorithms for TB in South Africa. The WHO 2012 instrument was used; VA CoD were assigned using physician-certified VA (PCVA), InterVA-4, and SmartVA-Analyze. Reference CoD were assigned using MIA, research, and health facility data, as available. 259 VAs were completed: 147 (57%) decedents were female; median age was 39 (interquartile range [IQR] 33-47) years and CD4 count 51 (IQR 22-102) cells/μL. Compared to reference CoD that included MIA (n = 34), VA underestimated mortality due to HIV/AIDS (94% reference, 74% PCVA, 47% InterVA-4, and 41% SmartVA-Analyze; chance-corrected concordance [CCC] 0.71, 0.42, and 0.31, respectively) and HIV-associated TB (41% reference, 32% PCVA; CCC 0.23). For individual decedents, all VA methods agreed poorly with reference CoD that did not include MIA (n = 259; overall CCC 0.14, 0.06, and 0.15 for PCVA, InterVA-4, and SmartVA-Analyze); agreement was better at population level (cause-specific mortality fraction accuracy 0.78, 0.61, and 0.57, for the three methods, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Current VA methods underestimate mortality due to HIV-associated TB. ICD and VA methods need modifications that allow for more specific evaluation of HIV-related deaths and direct estimation of mortality due to HIV-associated TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S. Karat
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Mpho Tlali
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Katherine L. Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Violet N. Chihota
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gavin J. Churchyard
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Yasmeen Hanifa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne Johnson
- Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kerrigan McCarthy
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Public Health, Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Neil A. Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, and Medical Research Council Soweto Matlosana Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS and TB, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, United States of America
- Department of Science and Technology / National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tanvier Omar
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana
- Epidemiology and Global Health Unit, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Daniel Chandramohan
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D. Grant
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Karat AS, Omar T, von Gottberg A, Tlali M, Chihota VN, Churchyard GJ, Fielding KL, Johnson S, Martinson NA, McCarthy K, Wolter N, Wong EB, Charalambous S, Grant AD. Autopsy Prevalence of Tuberculosis and Other Potentially Treatable Infections among Adults with Advanced HIV Enrolled in Out-Patient Care in South Africa. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166158. [PMID: 27829072 PMCID: PMC5102350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early mortality among HIV-positive adults starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains high in resource-limited settings, with tuberculosis (TB) the leading cause of death. However, current methods to estimate TB-related deaths are inadequate and most autopsy studies do not adequately represent those attending primary health clinics (PHCs). This study aimed to determine the autopsy prevalence of TB and other infections in adults enrolled at South African PHCs in the context of a pragmatic trial of empiric TB treatment (“TB Fast Track”). Methods and Findings Adults with CD4 ≤150 cells/μL, not on ART or TB treatment, were enrolled to TB Fast Track and followed up for at least six months. Minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) was conducted as soon as possible after death. Lungs, liver, and spleen were biopsied; blood, CSF, and urine aspirated; and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained. Samples underwent mycobacterial, bacterial, and fungal culture; molecular testing (including Xpert® MTB/RIF); and histological examination. 34 MIAs were conducted: 18 (53%) decedents were female; median age was 39 (interquartile range 33–44) years; 25 (74%) deaths occurred in hospitals; median time from death to MIA was five (IQR 3–6) days. 16/34 (47%) had evidence of TB (14/16 [88%] with extrapulmonary disease; 6/16 [38%] not started on treatment antemortem); 23 (68%) had clinically important bacterial infections; four (12%) cryptococcal disease; three (9%) non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease; and two (6%) Pneumocystis pneumonia. Twenty decedents (59%) had evidence of two or more concurrent infections; 9/16 (56%) individuals with TB had evidence of bacterial disease and two (13%) cryptococcal disease. Conclusions TB, followed by bacterial infections, were the leading findings at autopsy among adults with advanced HIV enrolled from primary care clinics. To reduce mortality, strategies are needed to identify and direct those at highest risk into a structured pathway that includes expedited investigation and/or treatment of TB and other infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S. Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Tanvier Omar
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anne von Gottberg
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mpho Tlali
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Violet N. Chihota
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gavin J. Churchyard
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Katherine L. Fielding
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Suzanne Johnson
- Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Neil A. Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, and Medical Research Council Soweto Matlosana Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS and TB, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Science and Technology / National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kerrigan McCarthy
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Public Health, Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nicole Wolter
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Emily B. Wong
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Alison D. Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Maraba N, Karat AS, McCarthy K, Churchyard GJ, Charalambous S, Kahn K, Grant AD, Chihota V. Verbal autopsy-assigned causes of death among adults being investigated for TB in South Africa. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2016; 110:510-516. [PMID: 27794093 PMCID: PMC5091329 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trw058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adults being investigated for TB in South Africa experience high mortality, yet causes of death (CoD) are not well defined. We determined CoD in this population using verbal autopsy (VA), and compared HIV- and TB-associated CoD using physician-certified verbal autopsy (PCVA) and InterVA-4 software. Methods All contactable consenting caregivers of participants who died during a trial comparing Xpert MTB/RIF to smear microscopy were interviewed using the WHO VA tool. CoD were assigned using PCVA and InterVA-4. Kappa statistic (K) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) were calculated for comparison. Results Among 231 deaths, relatives of 137 deceased were interviewed. Of the 137 deceased 76 (55.4%) were males, median age 41 years (IQR 33–50). PCVA assigned 70 (51.1%) TB immediate CoD (44 [62.8%] pulmonary TB; 26 [37.1%] extra-pulmonary TB); 21 (15.3%) HIV/AIDS-related; and 46 (33.5%) other CoD. InterVA-4 assigned 48 (35.0%) TB deaths; 49 (35.7%) HIV/AIDS-related deaths; and 40 (29.1%) other CoD. Agreement between PCVA and InterVA-4 CoD was slight at individual level (K=0.20; 95% CI 0.10–0.30) and poor at population level (CCC 0.67; 95% CI 0.38–0.99). Conclusions TB and HIV are leading CoD among adults being investigated for TB. PCVA and InterVA agreement at individual level was slight and poor at population level. VA methodology needs further development where TB and HIV are common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriah Maraba
- The Aurum Institute, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa .,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Kerrigan McCarthy
- Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gavin J Churchyard
- The Aurum Institute, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK.,Advancing Treatment and Care for TB and HIV, South African Medical Research Council Collaborating Centre for HIV/TB
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt); School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Division of Epidemiology and Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden.,INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana
| | - Alison D Grant
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK.,School of Nursing, Public Health, Africa Center for Population Health, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
| | - Violet Chihota
- The Aurum Institute, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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