Person-centered and youth-oriented interventions to improve TB Care for adolescents and young adults

Bibliographic Data

ID19592310
AuthorsPatricia M Waterous (0000-0002-4754-1213, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Rudo MS Chingono (0000-0002-7061-7861, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), Constance R Smackworth-Young (0000-0002-9725-7931, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Constance Mackworth-Young, Chipo Nyamayaro, Chipo A Nyamayaro (0000-0001-7228-8080, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), Faith Kandiye (Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), Faith Rutendo Kandiye, Edson Marambire (0000-0001-5944-5010, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), J Schellenberg (0000-0002-0708-3676, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Junior Mutsvangwa (Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), Prosper Chonzi (0000-0002-1451-9351, corresponding author), Fungai Kavenga (National Blood Service Zimbabwe, corresponding author), Rashida A Ferrand (0000-0002-7660-9176, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Rashida Ferrand, Katharina Kranzer (0000-0001-5691-7270, LMU Klinikum, corresponding author), Bernay (0000-0001-7628-8408, The University of Sydney, corresponding author)
EditorsSiyan Yi (0000-0002-3045-5386)
Year2024
Volume4
Issue11
Pagese0003659
Publication date2024-11-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0003659
PMID39546535
OpenAlexW4404399340
LanguageEN
References cited43

Introduction Globally adolescents and young adults (AYA) with tuberculosis (TB) face unique challenges. Until recently they have received little attention and few tailored interventions exist. To improve TB outcomes in this population, there is a need to implement tailored interventions. However, limited research has been conducted about how to meet the needs of AYA with tuberculosis. In this paper we present the findings of a qualitative study to explore the needs of AYA with TB in Zimbabwe and to identify interventions to optimize their engagement in TB care. Methods We conducted two participatory workshops with 16 AYA, aged 10–24 years diagnosed with TB to explore their experiences of TB disease and treatment. Through subsequent interviews with 15 of the same AYA and with two other key stakeholder groups (health care providers n = 11 and policy makers n = 9), we sought to identify areas of convergence and divergence about what youth-orientated services and policies would be effective in Zimbabwe. Qualitative data were analyzed iteratively and thematically. Results The findings are presented to align with four levels of a socio-ecological framework: individual, community, health system and policy. All three stakeholder groups highlighted the unmet mental health and TB literacy needs of AYA, which are particularly acute early in their TB care journey, as well as the imperative of engendering family support and securing the continuity of educational or employment opportunities during and after receiving TB care. There was a consensus that clinical services needed to become more youth-centered by extending training for health care providers and investing in peer-delivered psychosocial support. More broadly, there was also a strong consensus that adolescent-specific TB policies require further development and implementation, accompanied by community-based TB education and awareness campaigns to emphasize the curability of TB and to reduce TB related stigma. Conclusions There is much to be done to improve TB care for AYA. We found that there is need for alignment on where investment is needed to support the development of context-appropriate and effective interventions. There is an opportunity to benefit from translational learning from other successful approaches, such as HIV, within the region. Implementation of evidence-based interventions and youth-friendly policies and programs are much needed to improve outcomes for AYA with TB

Environmental health · Family medicine · Health care · Health literacy · Mental health · Political science · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Public relations · Qualitative research · Stakeholder · Tuberculosis · Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis · Healthcare Facilities Design and Sustainability · Medicine · Nursing · Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology