Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment Scale-Up Among Antiretroviral Therapy Patients - 16 Countries Supported by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, 2017-2019.

This report summarizes data on TB symptom screening and TPT initiation and completion among ART patients in 16 countries supported by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS† Relief (PEPFAR) during April 1, 2017-March 31, 2019. During this period, these 16 countries accounted for approximately 90% of PEPFAR-supported ART patients. During April 1, 2017-September 30, 2018, TB symptom screening increased from 54% to 84%. Overall, nearly 2 million ART patients initiated TPT, and 60% completed treatment during October 1, 2017-March 31, 2019. Although TPT initiations increased substantially, completion among those who initiated TPT increased only from 55% to 66%. In addition to continuing gains in initiation, improving retention after initiation and identifying barriers to TPT completion are important to increase TPT scale-up and reduce global TB mortality.
PMID: 32214084 [PubMed - in process]

Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... - March 26, 2020 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Melgar M, Nichols C, Cavanaugh JS, Kirking HL, Surie D, Date A, Ahmedov S, Maloney S, Fukunaga R, CDC Country Offices’ Tuberculosis/HIV Advisors, National Ministries and Departments of Health Tuberculosis Program Managers Tags: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Source Type: research