ArticleBMJ open2022
Impact of prolonged isolation on adolescents with drug-susceptible tuberculosis in Lima, Peru: a qualitative study.
Article in BMJ open, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 14 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects of Respiratory Isolation for Tuberculosis to Reduce Community-based Transmission: A Systematic Review.Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 2025Pooled it
- A retrospective survey of patient experiences during hospital-based isolation for tuberculosis in new York City.Journal of clinical tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases · 2026Article
- Impact of isolation and hospitalisation for people with TB.IJTLD open · 2026Article
- Depression in adolescents on treatment for rifampicin-susceptible TB in Lima, Peru.IJTLD open · 2025Article
- Article
- Care for adolescents with drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis in Lima, Peru: a qualitative assessment.BMJ open · 2025Article
- NTCA Guidelines for Respiratory Isolation and Restrictions to Reduce Transmission of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Community Settings.Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 2024Article
- Article
- Person-centered and youth-oriented interventions to improve TB Care for adolescents and young adults.PLOS global public health · 2024Article
- Adaptation and validation of a TB stigma scale for adolescents in Lima, Peru.The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease · 2023Article
- Duration of Symptoms Prior to Pediatric and Adolescent Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Its Impact on Schooling in Tanzania: A Mixed Methods Study.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2023Article
- Treatment of Infection as a Core Strategy to Prevent Rifampicin-Resistant/Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- Caring for Adolescents and Young Adults With Tuberculosis or at Risk of Tuberculosis: Consensus Statement From an International Expert Panel.The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesPatients with tuberculosis (TB) generally are instructed to isolate at the beginning of treatment in order to prevent disease transmission. The duration of isolation varies and may be prolonged (ie, lasting 1 month or more). Few studies have examined the impact of isolation during TB treatment on adolescents, who may be more vulnerable to its negative effects.
methodsThis study took place from 2018 through 2019 in Lima, Peru, where the Ministry of Health mandates the exclusion of patients with TB from educational institutions for at least 2 months. Using semi-structured guides, we conducted individual in-depth interviews with adolescents who received treatment for drug-susceptible TB, their primary caregivers and health providers. We performed thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews.
resultsWe interviewed 85 participants: 34 adolescents, 36 caregivers and 15 healthcare workers. At the time of their TB diagnoses, 28 adolescents were in secondary, postsecondary, vocational or military school. Adolescents with drug-susceptible TB were prescribed home isolation usually for 2 (and occasionally for 1) months. Consequently, they could neither attend school nor socialise with family members or friends. Two primary themes emerged from the interviews. First, as a result of their exclusion from school, most adolescents fell behind academically and had to repeat a semester or academic year. Second, absence from school, separation from friends and loved ones, and reinforcement of TB-related stigma (arising from fear of TB transmission) harmed adolescents' mental health.
conclusionProlonged isolation led to educational setbacks and emotional trauma among adolescents with TB. Prolonged isolation is not supported by current evidence on TB transmission and is problematic from a human rights perspective, as it violates adolescents' rights to education and freedom of movement. Isolation recommendations should be re-evaluated to align with data on TB transmission and the principles of patient-centred care.
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