360 likes | 417 Views
Learn about Botswana's Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) Programme, its rationale, pilot overview, findings, conclusions, and recommendations for preventing TB in individuals co-infected with HIV. Discover the funding, eligibility criteria, staffing, and screening process.
E N D
Definition Use of an ATT drug called Isoniazid (INH) given to individuals with latent (dormant) mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in order to prevent its progression to active disease.
Rationale for IPT • 10% lifetime risk of developing active TB if infected with M. tuberculosis alone • 5-10% annualrisk of developing active TB if co-infected with HIV • IPT is therefore, meant to prevent progression of latent TB to active disease
TB and HIV • Studies have shown that as many as 50% of persons with HIV infection may develop active TB • Studies in Zambia/Uganda/Kenya demonstrated efficacy in preventing TB • UNAIDS/WHO recommend the use of the Isoniazid Preventive Therapy for people living with HIV in any settings where the prevalence of TB/HIV is high (1999).
Rationale for IPT in Botswana • HIV prevalence is 17.1% in general population (BAISII) , 33% in pregnant women TB case rate increased ~ 3-fold in 1990s • 1989: 202 /100,000 • 2002: 623 /100,000 • 2003: 594 /100,000 • Recent survey estimates 84% of registered TB cases also have HIV co-infection • 1999 KABP study in Botswana showed patients will seek HIV testing if they would receive health benefit such as IPT • TB is the leading killer of persons with AIDS in Botswana
How IPT Programme Came About • Followed recommendation in 1998 by - World Health Organization - UNAIDS • IPT Working group formed 1999 • Government approved pilot in 2000 (July) • Guidelines and training materials developed • 500 health workers trained before pilot
IPT Pilot Overview • Determine the operational feasibility of IPT • Acceptability to patients • Burden to HCWs • Develop optimal screening algorithm • Create M&E system • Pilot started August 2000-April 2001 • Evaluation of the pilot –October 2001
IPT Pilot Programme • 7 month pilot: August 2000 - March 2001 • 3 Pilot sites • Francistown (447) • Gaborone(406) • SE district (82) • Total: 935 patients • Female 71% • Required validation activities • Capacity to enroll clients • Ability of nurses to exclude active TB • Determine utility of CXR to screening algorithm
Findings of the Pilot • Main source of referrals to IPT Program • VCT • PMTCT • Majority of patients asymptomatic @ assessment • Suspicion of active TB main exclusion criteria • CXR findings for asymptomatic clients mostly normal
Findings Cont’d • Of the 24 Abnormal CXR results • 16 Pneumonitis • 0 confirmed TB cases • 1 Cardiomegaly • Only 1 case of TB (pleural effusion) • MOs & nurses assessments concurred
Other Findings • Treatment completion was good 69% • M& E component was found to be burdensome • Turnover of nurses during the pilot was high
Pilot Conclusions • IPT algorithm successfully excludes patients with suspected TB • Candidates for IPT can be safely screened by nurses and started on IPT • CXR was an obstacle for asymptomatic clients due to high dropout rate & low yield for active TB (5%, 17%)
Recommendations These followed evaluation of pilot: • IPT was to be rolled out nationwide • CXR was excluded from the algorithm for asymptomatic clients • Clinic and dispensary registers were to be consolidated into one register for patients on IPT
Funding of the IPT Programme • Funded by the US Centers for Disease Control through PEPFAR • Five year agreement between the two governments (2002-2007) • Funds for salaries, training, supervisory travel, purchase of equipment • At district level-Botswana government funds
Eligibility Criteria • Confirmed HIV positive • 16 years and above • Not currently pregnant • No active TB • Not terminal AIDS • No hepatitis • No recent history of TB • No history of INH intolerance
IPT Staffing National Level: • National Coordinator • Regional Coordinators (2) • Regional Data Clerks (2) • IEC officer District Level: • All district health facilities staffed by doctors and nurses • IPT Program supervised by TB Coordinators
Client Screening • Algorithm is the main tool used - Subjective data - Physical assessment - Investigations as necessary (e.g sputum, chest x-ray)
IPT Documents • Facilitators’ guide • Health workers’ guide • Brochures • 3 types of video cassettes • Still developing posters/and other IEC materials
IPT Records • Patient outpatient card • Register and compliance record • Dispensary Tally Sheet • Patient Transfer form • Monthly report form
IPT Database • Newly developed • Funded and developed through the efforts of BOTUSA • Currently entering data from inception to end of May 2005 • Entered about 15000 records from 10 districts
Enrollment Data • Clients counseled – 30,592 • Clients enrolled – 24,840 (81%) • Clients completed treatment- 6721 (27%)
Preventing Isoniazid Resistant TB • Emphasis on constant & proper use of the algorithm to prevent monotherapy • Screening of clients at each visit • Thorough investigation of those suspected of having TB • Ongoing counseling of clients
Plans (cont’d) • Exclusion of children & adults with history of TB within the last 3 years • Remove defaulters from the programme • Improve adherence • Improve monitoring and evaluation!
MONITORING AND EVALUATION • Monthly reports • Quarterly reports • Support visits using checklist (quarterly/when necessary) • Review meetings with districts • IPT/TB programme evaluation
Achievements • Have TOTs in all districts • A good number of health workers have been trained • Rolled out to all districts and facilities • Increased public awareness • Government commitment
Achievements (Cont’d) • Increased IPT officers at national level • Necessary equipment purchased • Database developed • Improved support visits
Challenges • Irregular data submission by facilities • Inadequate transport for support visits • Poor record keeping by health workers • Lack of commitment by health workers