Factors Associated with Noncompletion of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment in an Inner‐City Population in Edmonton, Alberta

Abstract

One of the most useful strategies to control the spread of tuberculosis is treating latent tuberculosis infections. Certain populations at higher risk for tuberculosis infection, such as homeless individuals, are also at increased risk for treatment nonadherence. This article describes the treatment completion rate for latent tuberculosis infections at a health clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, including an assessment of the correlates of noncompletion as well as potential means to improve treatment adherence.

Use of a scoring strategy to determine clinical risk of progression and risk group-specific treatment adherence in subjects with latent tuberculosis infection

“…This, in turn, may affect the choice of regimen and the intensity of follow up provided to the patients when healthcare providers become aware of those at high cumulative risk of progression. Although lack of adequate healthcare as well as patient related factors have been reported to affect adherence to LTBI treatment [6, 14, 15], specific interventions like shorter duration of therapy using Rifamycin based regimens and directly observed treatment (DOT) are well recognized measures to improve treatment adherence [16–18]. This approach also minimizes the loss to follow up which was the major reason for incomplete treatment in our cohort.…”

Public Health Response to Tuberculosis Outbreak among Persons Experiencing Homelessness, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 2017–2018

“…Likewise, we conducted chest radiography at the time of TB testing. LTBI treatment completion is one of the best interventions for preventing cases of TB disease, but homelessness has been found to be significantly associated with incomplete treatment (17). We used 2 solutions to help contacts complete their treatments.…”

A tuberculose na população em situação de rua: desempenho de profissionais da atenção primária

“…In the care of the homeless population, it is important that health professionals take into account characteristics related to life habits and barriers to access the services that hinder the control of diseases such as tuberculosis (4)(5)16) .…”

“…Estimates of the Ministry of Health indicate that the incidence rate of the disease in this population is 44 times higher than in the general population (3) . The presence of barriers of individual nature and of access to health services contributes to this high incidence rate (4)(5)(6)(7) .…”