Background High rates of Adverse Events (AEs) during treatment is one of the leading causes of unsuccessful treatment outcomes among patients with drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). However, information related to AEs is not systematically collected and managed under programmatic setting. The present study assessed the a) incidence and pattern of adverse events in first three months of DR-TB treatment initiation; b) treatment seeking behaviour for AE management; and c) explore the challenges in seeking treatment and reporting AEs. Methods This mixed methods study included all patients diagnosed and initiated on treatment under RNTCP during July–September 2018 at Ahmedabad DR-TB centre. The patients were interviewed telephonically and assessed for all AEs experienced by them. In-depth interviews and key-informant interviews were conducted among patients, DOTS supervisors and programme staff (treatment supervisors, medical officer and district program managers). Results Total 207 AEs were reported by the 74 DR-TB patients. All patients experienced at least one AE during initial treatment period. Incidence rate of AEs (experienced) was 3.11 (1st month-4.6, 2nd month-2.7, 3rd month-2.02) per 100 person days. Of the 207 AEs, gastro-intestinal (59, 28.3%), ophthalmic (32, 15.4%) and otolaryngology (25, 11.9%) system related AEs were commonly experienced. Treatment was not sought in two-fifths of the AEs. Themes and sub-themes related to challenges in treatment seeking or reporting of AEs were 1) Patient related-Misconceptions, accessibility and affordability of management, lack of counselling support, stigma and discrimination, and past treatment experience; 2) Health system related- lack of guidelines and training for AE management, 3) Poor coordination between hospital and tuberculosis centre. Conclusion The incidence of AEs was high among patients with DR-TB in the first three months of treatment and treatment seeking/reporting was low. Adequate health education and counselling of the patient and orientation of the health systems is the need of the hour. An efficient real-time reporting and management of AE should be developed and tested for effective DR-TB control.

Background Unsuccessful treatment outcomes among patients with drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) are associated with poor treatment adherence due to high rates of adverse events (AEs). However, AEs are not systematically collected and managed under programmatic setting. The present study aims to assess the a) incidence and pattern of adverse events in first three months of DR-TB treatment; b) treatment seeking behaviour for AE management; and c) explore the challenges perceived by patients and healthcare providers in seeking treatment/reporting AEs. Methods This mixed methods study included all patients diagnosed and initiated on treatment during July-September 2018 at Ahmedabad DR-TB centre under RNTCP. The patients were interviewed telephonically and assessed for all AEs experienced by them during first three months of DR-TB treatment initiation. In-depth interviews and key-informant interviews were conducted among patients and DOTS supervisors, and programme staff (treatment supervisors, Medical Officer and District Program Manager). Results Total 207 AEs were reported by the 74 DR-TB patients who were interviewed. All patients experienced at least one AE during treatment. Incidence rate of AEs (experienced) was 3.11 (1 st month-4.6, 2 nd month-2.7, 3 rd month-2.02) per 100 person days of the 207 AEs, gastro-intestinal (59, 28.3%), ophthalmic (32, 15.4%) and otolaryngology (25, 11.9%) system related AEs were commonly experienced. Treatment was not sought in two-fifths of the AEs. Themes and subthemes related to challenges in treatment seeking or reporting of AEs were 1) Patient related-Misconceptions, accessibility and affordability of management, lack of counselling support, stigma and discrimination, past treatment experience; 2) Health system related- lack of guideline and training for AE management, poor coordination between hospital and tuberculosis centre.Conclusion The incidence of AEs was high among patients with DR-TB in the first three months of treatment and treatment seeking/reporting was low. Adequate health education and counselling of the patient should be done at initiation of treatment. An efficient real-time reporting and management of AE can be developed and tested for effective DR-TB control.