7th SA TB Conference 2022

7th SA TB Conference 2022 Oral Presentation Track 3: Implementation/Health systems Authors: Siyabonga Myeni, Munira Khan, Suzanne Staples BackgroundVideo Observed Therapy (VOT) is an innovative digital treatment support technology that employs live or recorded video monitoring dosing via a smartphone, tablet or computer. Objectives Among VOT implementors and MDR-TB patients on a TB clinical trial in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: To measure acceptability and feasibility of VOT, To identify barriers and enablers Methods A complementary concurrent mixed-methods design was used: Quantitative survey captured participants’ demographic information, access to and ability to use technology and the usage of VOT. Qualitative component consisted of [...]

7th SA TB Conference 2022 Poster Presentation Track 3: Implementation/Health systems Authors: Lynette Duckworth; Jayandry Tasha Govender Background Identifying missing TB cases in HIV-positive clients is an ongoing challenge. As a simple point-of-care test, LF-LAM can be performed in 25 minutes using urine, a sample that is readily available. Positive results can be actioned immediately allowing rapid linkage to care and reduction in mortality for HIV/TB-coinfected patients. Challenges of TB-HIV Co-Infection: Atypical and non-specific presentation of TB disease, particularly if CD4 <200 Often test GeneXpert negative due to paucibacillary disease; lack of pulmonary symptoms or inability to produce sputum Extrapulmonary disease [...]

7th SA TB Conference 2022 Poster Presentation Track 4: Social and community aspects of TB Authors: Nonhlanhla Ndondo; Dr Suzanne Staples Background Increasingly, researchers are recognizing the detrimental impact of mental ill-health on patients with chronic conditions and opportunistic infections. There is a link between poor mental well-being and treatment non-compliance among chronic illness and HIV patients. South Africa has a high burden of HIV and drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) comorbidity, but research on how psychological wellbeing impacts DR-TB treatment outcomes is limited. The present study aimed to analyse the effect that DR-TB patients' self-reported mental and psychological well-being has on [...]

7th SA TB Conference 2022 Poster Presentation Track 3: Implementation/Health systems Authors: Marcel Kitenge1,2, Ruvimbo Chingonzoh3,4, Abraham L.Malaza1, Mcedisi J. Madlavu3, Riyadh Manesen1 1THINK TB & HIV Investigative Network, Hillcrest, KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa. 2Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. 3Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Disease, National Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa. 4HIV and AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) Programme, Eastern Cape Department of Health, King Williams Town, South Africa. Background Linkage to care following Rifampicin Resistant Tuberculosis (RR-TB) diagnosis [...]