Patient experiences of the community phase of the directly observed treatment short-course for tuberculosis in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

Manehoua, Leon, Carlisle, Karen, Whittaker, Maxine, Larkins, Sarah, Harrington, Humpress, Massey, Peter, Pitakaka, Freda D., and MacLaren, David (2021) Patient experiences of the community phase of the directly observed treatment short-course for tuberculosis in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 33 (6-7). pp. 794-796.

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Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern across the Pacific region.1 Solomon Islands, a Pacific Island country of approximately 600 000 people, records 350 to 400 cases of TB annually.1 The most populated province in Solomon Islands, Malaita (population 160 000), records 25% of all national TB cases.2 The TB cure rates of 64% nationally and 57% in Malaita2 are both well below the World Health Organization (WHO) target of >90%.3

Effective control of TB depends on 2 pillars: (1) early detection and (2) treatment completion. The Solomon Islands National TB Program adapted Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) in 2003, based on the WHO-recommended STOP-TB strategy4 that includes both hospital (intensive) and subsequent community (continuation) phases. Throughout the community phase (4 to 6 months), patients ingest anti-TB drugs isoniazid and rifampicin while observed by a clinic nurse or responsible community person. DOTS has proven highly effective in many countries,5 but implementation of DOTS has faced numerous challenges across Pacific nations, including Solomon Islands. This study investigated the experiences of TB patients in the community phase in 2 TB hotspot areas in Malaita.

Item ID: 68919
Item Type: Article (Short Note)
ISSN: 1941-2479
Keywords: TB, Patient experiences, Solomon Islands
Copyright Information: © 2021 APJPH
Funders: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Projects and Grants: DFAT Tropical Partners project
Date Deposited: 10 Aug 2021 00:12
FoR Codes: 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420305 Health and community services @ 100%
SEO Codes: 20 HEALTH > 2002 Evaluation of health and support services > 200299 Evaluation of health and support services not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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