Effect of COVID-19 Period on Tuberculosis Treatment Success; a Mixed Methods Study among Tuberculosis patients at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.
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Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Square
Abstract
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, over 4000 people were dying from TB every day. TB is still a major public
health threat globally, but the TB epidemic may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown
in response to the pandemic and the events related to it can have an adverse epidemiologic impact on TB
treatment outcome through its effect on poverty, and dietary intakes.
Objectives
Therefore, this study during COVID-19 would determine the effect of COVID-19 period on Tuberculosis
Treatment success among TB patients.
Methods
Sequential explanatory mixed methods was used. A retrospective cohort study was employed for the
quantitative component to determine the association between COVID-19 period and Tuberculosis
treatment success among Tuberculosis Patients at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. A data abstraction
sheet was used to extract the required data from the TB treatment registers. Treatment outcomes was
dichotomized as successful treatment outcome and poor treatment outcome. Modified possion
regression was used to explore associations between treatment outcome and other independent
variables.
A qualitative study with a phenomenology approach was adopted to get an in-depth understanding to the
barriers and facilitators to treatment success during the COVID era among Tuberculosis Patients at Jinja
Regional Referral Hospital. The lived experience of the TB patients who had participated in the
quantitative component was captured. Data from audio recordings was transcribed and analyzed using a
deductive thematic analysis to explore barriers and facilitators.
Results
There was no significant effect of COVID-19 Period on TB treatment Success (aRR=1.04: 95% CI 0.78-
1.38). In addition, sex, HIV status, age, distance from the health facility, disease classification and
treatment mode were not significantly associated with treatment success. The barrier to treatment
success were lack of adequate health care information, fearing the COVID thing in the hospital. Some
health workers pointed out that donors failed to support most of the TB activities as government
redirected most of its funding to COVID-19 activities and neglected TB services.
The major facilitators were good relationship with health care workers, TB awareness programs, updating
of TB guidelines and availability of free drugs and services.
Conclusion This study did not find a significant effect of COVID-19 period on treatment outcomes. Measures towards
alleviating fear and stigma and ensuring financial securities of the patients during the time of health
crisis are important for preparedness against future epidemics such as COVID-19.
Description
Keywords
Corona Virus Disease 2019, Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course,, Tuberculosis, Pulmonary TB, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
Citation
Katamba, A. (2022). Effect of COVID-19 Period on Tuberculosis Treatment Success; a Mixed Methods Study among Tuberculosis patients at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2056991/v1