Patients’ priorities around drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment

A multi-national qualitative study from Mongolia, South Africa and Georgia

Bibliographic Data

ID15540205
AuthorsAnnabelle South (0000-0001-8912-2001, MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, corresponding author), Parveen Dhesi (0000-0002-4337-5430, MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL), Conor Tweed (0000-0001-6021-8237, MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL), Bazarragchaa Tsogt (Mongolian University of Life Sciences), Suzanne Staples (0000-0002-9049-8070), Nestani Tukvadze (0000-0002-0276-1204, National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease), Gantsetseg Dorj (National Center for Communicable Diseases), Sindisiwe Zaca, Ekaterine Sanikidze (0000-0003-0466-1845, David Tvildiani Medical University), Nasanjargal Purev (National Center for Communicable Diseases), Hanif Esmail (0000-0002-4278-9316, MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL), Rochelle Ann Burge (0000-0001-9749-7065, University College London)
Year2023
Volume18
Issue1
Pages2234450-2234450
Publication date2023-01-02
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17441692.2023.2234450
PMID37431789
OpenAlexW4383872508
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited38

We conducted qualitative research exploring the treatment experience of people with DR-TB. We held nine focus group discussions with 57 adults undergoing/recently completed treatment for DR-TB in Georgia, Mongolia and South Africa. Translated transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. We identified three higher order themes: (1) Treatment experience and the role of good relationships with healthcare providers: Treatment duration, pill burden and side-effects were challenging aspects of treatment. Side-effects/symptoms that were visible signs of illness were particularly troubling. Good relations with clinical staff helped combat fear and uncertainty regarding treatment. (2) Mental distress and opportunities for wellbeing: The shame, stigma and isolation people experienced as a result of their DR-TB diagnosis was an important cause of mental distress. No longer being infectious enabled people to resume work and socialising. Positive emotions emerged with good treatment outcomes. (3) Fear and worry along the treatment journey: Participants expressed fears about TB: infecting others; whether they would be able to endure treatment; side-effects; health consequences of treatment. Worries mostly disappeared with successful treatment. Alongside measuring side-effects, time to culture conversion and cure rates, future trials of DR-TB treatments should capture how quickly visible symptoms resolve, quality of life measures, and mental health outcomes

Anxiety · Distress · Family medicine · Focus group · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Mental health · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Shame · Social stigma · Stigma (botany · Thematic analysis · Tuberculosis · Worry · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections · Psychology · Social Psychology · Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology

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