Frank van Leth - Assessment of patient preference in allocation and

Journal article

S. Egwaga, N. Range, F. Lwilla, A. Mkopi, V. Barongo, Sally Mtenga, H. Mshinda, F. Cobelens, Vera Haag, F. van Leth, P. Grewal
Patient Preference and Adherence, 2008

Semantic Scholar DOI PubMedCentral PubMed

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APA Click to copy
Egwaga, S., Range, N., Lwilla, F., Mkopi, A., Barongo, V., Mtenga, S., … Grewal, P. (2008). Assessment of patient preference in allocation and observation of anti-tuberculosis medication in three districts in Tanzania. Patient Preference and Adherence.

Chicago/Turabian Click to copy
Egwaga, S., N. Range, F. Lwilla, A. Mkopi, V. Barongo, Sally Mtenga, H. Mshinda, et al. “Assessment of Patient Preference in Allocation and Observation of Anti-Tuberculosis Medication in Three Districts in Tanzania.” Patient Preference and Adherence (2008).

MLA Click to copy
Egwaga, S., et al. “Assessment of Patient Preference in Allocation and Observation of Anti-Tuberculosis Medication in Three Districts in Tanzania.” Patient Preference and Adherence, 2008.

BibTeX Click to copy

@article{s2008a,
  title = {Assessment of patient preference in allocation and observation of anti-tuberculosis medication in three districts in Tanzania},
  year = {2008},
  journal = {Patient Preference and Adherence},
  author = {Egwaga, S. and Range, N. and Lwilla, F. and Mkopi, A. and Barongo, V. and Mtenga, Sally and Mshinda, H. and Cobelens, F. and Haag, Vera and van Leth, F. and Grewal, P.}
}

Abstract

Background The new tuberculosis (TB) treatment in Tanzania contains rifampicin for six months. Direct observation of drug intake at the health facility for this period is not feasible. Methods Patients and health staff in three districts were interviewed to assess the burden of the current treatment strategy, and opinions on a proposed new strategy where patients are able to choose the place of treatment and the treatment supervisor, and receive treatment as a daily combination tablet. Results The study included 343 patients in 42 facilities. Daily collection of drugs was perceived as burdensome irrespective of distance needed to travel. Eighty percent of patients viewed medication taken at home or at a closer health facility as an improvement in TB-services. The proposed new treatment strategy was rated favorably by 85% of patients and 75% of health staff. Fifty-three percent of patients would opt for home-based treatment, and 75% would choose a family member or the spouse as treatment supporter. Conclusion Home-based supervision of TB treatment with fewer drugs is an expressed preference of TB patients in Tanzania. Such a strategy is now being assessed in a pilot study. If effective and feasible, the strategy will contribute to an improved TB control strategy.