Assessing the acceptability of TB preventive therapy among household contacts in Dili Municipality; Implementation research.

Etelvina De Jesus Da Costa , DR.dr.Yodi Mahendradhata.M.Sc, Ph.D, FRSPH ; DR. Dra. Ida Safitria Laksamawati, MKes,Sp.AK

2023 | Tesis | S2 Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat

Background: Tuberculosis continues to pose a substantial threat to public health, particularly in developing nations where it is more widespread. Timor Leste is no exception and is plagued by this infectious disease. The government of Timor Leste has made a commitment to end TB by 2025.  Nonetheless, the National TB Program has relentlessly and effectively responded to this challenge. Through the implementation of critical strategies such as prompt and accurate case diagnosis, treatment adherence, and contact control, the NTP has achieved remarkable accomplishments in case detection and treatment in 2022, surpassing the limitations of indicators., Unfortunately, it was not synchronized with the TB close contact’s control.

Design: This qualitative study was conducted to investigate the acceptability of TB preventive therapy among household contacts in Dili Municipality. Semi-structured interviews with TB index contacts provide insights into attitudes, perceptions, and influencing factors. All conversations were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic approach. The study was conducted in Dili including 4 community health centers and 2 private clinics.

Results: Overall, 21 Household contacts were recruited as key informants for an in-depth interview, most of the KI were female, and most of them has a good level of education.   The study found that the acceptability of TPT was influenced by several factors related to household contacts, such as a lack of knowledge about TB transmission and preventive treatment, a sense of personal healthiness, and concerns about potential side effects. Healthcare-related factors, such as lack of advocacy, loss of contact, and loss of follow-up, also played a significant role in determining the acceptability of TPT among household contacts.

Conclusion: Factors affecting TPT acceptability include HHCs-related factors; lack of knowledge, feeling healthy, fear of side effects, and lack of time, and health-care-related factors such as insufficient advocacy, loss of contact, and loss of follow-up. These findings underscore the importance of increasing awareness and advocacy efforts to improve the uptake of TPT.

 

Background: Tuberculosis continues to pose a substantial threat to public health, particularly in developing nations where it is more widespread. Timor Leste is no exception and is plagued by this infectious disease. The government of Timor Leste has made a commitment to end TB by 2025.  Nonetheless, the National TB Program has relentlessly and effectively responded to this challenge. Through the implementation of critical strategies such as prompt and accurate case diagnosis, treatment adherence, and contact control, the NTP has achieved remarkable accomplishments in case detection and treatment in 2022, surpassing the limitations of indicators., Unfortunately, it was not synchronized with the TB close contact’s control.

Design: This qualitative study was conducted to investigate the acceptability of TB preventive therapy among household contacts in Dili Municipality. Semi-structured interviews with TB index contacts provide insights into attitudes, perceptions, and influencing factors. All conversations were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic approach. The study was conducted in Dili including 4 community health centers and 2 private clinics.

Results: Overall, 21 Household contacts were recruited as key informants for an in-depth interview, most of the KI were female, and most of them has a good level of education.   The study found that the acceptability of TPT was influenced by several factors related to household contacts, such as a lack of knowledge about TB transmission and preventive treatment, a sense of personal healthiness, and concerns about potential side effects. Healthcare-related factors, such as lack of advocacy, loss of contact, and loss of follow-up, also played a significant role in determining the acceptability of TPT among household contacts.

Conclusion: Factors affecting TPT acceptability include HHCs-related factors; lack of knowledge, feeling healthy, fear of side effects, and lack of time, and health-care-related factors such as insufficient advocacy, loss of contact, and loss of follow-up. These findings underscore the importance of increasing awareness and advocacy efforts to improve the uptake of TPT.

 

Kata Kunci : Acceptability ,TP, Implementation research