1. Retaining Patients with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis on Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Dharavi, Mumbai, India, 2020-2022.
- Author
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Gomare MD, Bhide S, Deshmukh R, Kaipilyawar S, Puri V, Moonan PK, Khetade DK, Nyendak M, Yeldandi V, Smith JP, Tobias JL, Date A, Joshi R, Kumar R, and Ho CS
- Subjects
- Humans, Pandemics, India epidemiology, Antitubercular Agents therapeutic use, COVID-19 epidemiology, Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant drug therapy, Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant epidemiology, Tuberculosis drug therapy, Tuberculosis epidemiology
- Abstract
Mumbai, India's second largest city, has one of the highest prevalences of drug-resistant tuberculosis* (DRTB) in the world. Treatment for DRTB takes longer and is more complicated than treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis (TB). Approximately 300 persons receive a new DRTB diagnosis each year in Mumbai's Dharavi slum
† ; historically, fewer than one half of these patients complete DRTB treatment. As nationwide restrictions to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic were implemented, a program to facilitate uninterrupted DRTB care for patients receiving treatment was also implemented. A comprehensive tool and risk assessment provided support to DRTB patients and linked those who relocated outside of Dharavi during the pandemic to DRTB care at their destination. During May 2020-September 2022, a total of 973 persons received DRTB treatment in Dharavi, including 255 (26%) who relocated during treatment. Overall, 25 (3%) DRTB patients were lost to follow-up, a rate substantially lower than the rate before the pandemic (18%). Proactive planning and implementation of simple tools retained patients on treatment during periods of travel restrictions and relocations, improving programmatic outcomes. This approach might aid public health programs serving migrant populations or patients receiving treatment for DRTB during public health emergencies., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.- Published
- 2023
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