Uptake and Completion of Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment Using 12-Dose, Weekly Isoniazid–Rifapentine Regimen in Bangladesh: A Community-Based Implementation Study
Uptake and Completion of Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment Using 12-Dose, Weekly Isoniazid–Rifapentine Regimen in Bangladesh: A Community-Based Implementation Study
By: Md. Toufiq Rahman, Farzana Hossain, Rupali Sisir Banu, Md. Shamiul Islam, Shamsher Alam, Abu Jamil Faisel, Hamid Salim, Oscar Cordon, Pedro Suarez, Hamidah Hussain, and Tapash Roy
Publication: Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease; 20 December 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9010004
Abstract
This study assessed the uptake and completion of a community-based 12-dose, weekly isoniazid–rifapentine (3HP) TPT regimen in Dhaka, Bangladesh, targeting household contacts of confirmed drug-sensitive pulmonary TB patients between February 2018 and March 2019. Adhering to World Health Organization guidelines, these contacts were screened for active TB before starting TPT. Of 3,193 advised for screening, 67% complied, and 84% of these received chest X-rays, with 2% diagnosed with active TB and treated. Over 97% of eligible contacts started the 3HP regimen, with completion rates being higher among females, those with more education and income, non-slum dwellers, and those not experiencing adverse events from the regimen. Only 5% experienced mainly mild adverse events. The study concluded that the 3HP regimen is effective, with high completion rates, and that a community-focused TPT approach is feasible, scalable, and in alignment with UN goals.