1. Addressing tuberculosis patients' medical and socio-economic needs: a comprehensive programmatic approach.
- Author
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Contreras, Carmen C., Millones, Ana K., Santa Cruz, Janeth, Aguilar, Margot, Clendenes, Martin, Toranzo, Miguel, Llaro, Karim, Lecca, Leonid, Becerra, Mercedes C., and Yuen, Courtney M.
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TUBERCULOSIS patients , *SOCIOECONOMICS , *DIAGNOSIS , *HIV , *DIABETES , *MENTAL health , *TREATMENT of diabetes , *HIV infections , *THERAPEUTICS , *MENTAL illness treatment , *PSYCHIATRIC epidemiology , *TUBERCULOSIS treatment , *TUBERCULOSIS epidemiology , *HIV infection epidemiology , *HEALTH services accessibility , *MEDICAL care , *PATIENTS , *COMORBIDITY - Abstract
Objective: For a cohort of patients with tuberculosis in Carabayllo, Peru, we describe the prevalence of medical comorbidities and socio-economic needs, the efforts required by a comprehensive support programme ('TB Cero') to address them and the success of this programme in linking patients to care.Methods: Patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in Carabayllo underwent evaluations for HIV, diabetes, mental health and unmet basic needs. For patients initiating treatment during 14 September, 2015-15 May, 2016, we abstracted data from evaluation forms and a support request system. We calculated the prevalence of medical comorbidities and the need for socio-economic support at the time of tuberculosis diagnosis, as well as the proportion of patients successfully linked to care or support.Results: Of 192 patients, 83 (43%) had at least one medical comorbidity other than tuberculosis. These included eight (4%) patients with HIV, 12 (6%) with diabetes and 62 (32%) deemed at risk for a mental health condition. Of patients who required follow-up for a comorbidity, 100% initiated antiretroviral therapy, 71% attended endocrinology consultations and 66% attended psychology consultations. Of 126 (65%) patients who completed the socio-economic evaluation, 58 (46%) reported already receiving food baskets from the municipality, and 79 (63%) were given additional support, most commonly food vouchers and assistance in accessing health care.Conclusion: Carabayllo tuberculosis patients face many challenges in addition to tuberculosis. A collaborative, comprehensive treatment support programme can achieve high rates of linkage to care for these needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2017
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