Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39148081›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2024

Understanding the role of video direct observed therapy for patients on an oral short-course regimen for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis: findings from a qualitative study in Eswatini.

Esther Mukooza, Bernadette Schausberger, Nqobile Mmema, Velibanti Dlamini, Aung Aung, Bernhard Kerschberger, Iza Ciglenecki, Debrah Vambe, Alison Wringe

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Esther MukoozaMédecins sans Frontières (OCG), P.O.Box 325, Mantsholo Road, Mbabane, Eswatini. esthermukooza@gmail.com.
Bernadette SchausbergerMédecins sans Frontières (OCG), P.O.Box 325, Mantsholo Road, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Nqobile MmemaMédecins sans Frontières (OCG), P.O.Box 325, Mantsholo Road, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Velibanti DlaminiMédecins sans Frontières (OCG), P.O.Box 325, Mantsholo Road, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Aung AungMédecins sans Frontières (OCG), P.O.Box 325, Mantsholo Road, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Bernhard KerschbergerMédecins sans Frontières (OCG), P.O.Box 325, Mantsholo Road, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Iza CigleneckiMédecins sans Frontières (OCG), Geneva, Switzerland.
Debrah VambeNational TB Control Programme (NTCP), Manzini, Eswatini.
Alison WringeLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundImproving treatment success rates among multi drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients is critical to reducing its incidence and mortality, but adherence poses an important challenge. Video-based direct observed therapy (vDOT) may provide adherence benefits, while addressing the time and cost burden associated with community treatment supporter (CTS)-DOT. This study explored experiences of patients, family members and healthcare workers with different DOT modalities for adherence support in Eswatini.

methodsBetween April 2021 and May 2022, thirteen men and five women with MDR-TB, ten healthcare workers, and nine caregivers were purposively sampled to include a range of characteristics and experiences with DOT modalities. Data were generated through individual in-depth interviews and a smartphone messaging application (WhatsApp). Data coding was undertaken iteratively, and thematic analysis undertaken, supported by Nvivo.

resultsFour themes emerged that reflected participants' experiences with different DOT modalities, including stigma, efficiency, perceived risks of TB acquisition, and patient autonomy. vDOT was appreciated by patients for providing them with privacy and shielding them from stigmatisation associated with being seen in TB clinics or with community treatment supporters. vDOT was also seen as more efficient than CTS-DOT. Health workers acknowledged that it saved time, allowing them to attend to more patients, while many patients found vDOT more convenient and less expensive by removing the need to travel for in-person consultations. Health workers also appreciated vDOT because it reduced risks of TB acquisition by minimising exposure through virtual patient monitoring. Although many patients appreciated greater autonomy in managing their illness through vDOT, others preferred human contact or struggled with making video recordings. Most family members appreciated vDOT, although some resented feeling removed from the process of supporting loved ones.

conclusionsvDOT was generally appreciated by MDR-TB patients, their family members and health workers as it addressed barriers to adherence which could contribute to improved treatment completion rates and reduced workplace exposure. However, patients should be offered an alternative to vDOT such as CTS-DOT if this modality does not suit their circumstances or preferences.

Indexed as

Antitubercular AgentsDirectly Observed TherapyMedication AdherenceQualitative ResearchTuberculosis, Multidrug-ResistantAdultCaregiversEswatiniFemaleHealth PersonnelHumansMaleMiddle AgedSocial StigmaYoung AdultAntitubercular AgentsEswatiniMDR-TBOral short course treatmentQualitativevDOT

Identifiers

PMID39148081
PMCPMC11325818

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.