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Published on: March 24, 2017
Optimising child-friendly TB preventive treatment regimens
C Mulder1,2, A J Bergman3, F Mulatu4
1Department of TB Elimination and Health System Innovations, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, the Netherlands.
Insights
The 3HP weekly regimen for tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) was preferred over daily 3RH by Ethiopian stakeholders due to lower dosing burden, though pill count remains a concern for improving child TPT adherence.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends rifamycin-based TB preventive treatment (TPT) for children.
- Understanding factors influencing TPT regimen acceptability is crucial for effective implementation.
- This study explored perceptions of two short-course TPT regimens in Ethiopia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the acceptability of two short-course TPT regimens (3HP and 3RH) among stakeholders in Ethiopia.
- To identify factors influencing the choice between weekly (3HP) and daily (3RH) dosing for pediatric TPT.
- To inform strategies for improving TPT adherence and outcomes in children.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 47 in-depth interviews with caregivers, health workers, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
- Utilized thematic content analysis to evaluate regimen acceptability.
- Focused on factors including palatability, dosing frequency, pill burden, adherence, and side effects.
Main Results:
- Both 3HP and 3RH regimens were generally well tolerated with mild side effects.
- Weekly 3HP was perceived as less burdensome but posed adherence challenges (forgetting doses).
- Daily 3RH presented a higher routine burden for caregivers; 3HP was preferred overall despite pill burden concerns.
Conclusions:
- Stakeholders favored the 3HP regimen for its reduced dosing frequency.
- Addressing pill burden and enhancing adherence support are key for successful pediatric TPT.
- Child-friendly formulations and consideration of patient/caregiver preferences are vital for improving TPT outcomes.
Background:
The World Health Organization recommends rifamycin-based TB preventive treatment (TPT) for children, but factors influencing regimen acceptability are not well understood. We explored perceptions of two short-course regimens - 3HP (weekly dosing) and 3RH (daily dosing) - among interest-holders in Ethiopia.
Methods:
Forty-seven in-depth interviews were conducted with caregivers of TB-exposed children, community health workers, health care providers, and policymakers following the CHIP-TB trial, which evaluated home-based TPT delivery. Thematic content analysis was used to assess acceptability across factors such as palatability, dosing frequency, pill burden, adherence, and side effects.
Results:
Both regimens were generally well tolerated. Caregivers reported good palatability, though some children vomited or spit out the medication. Weekly dosing with 3HP was seen as less burdensome but easier to forget, requiring additional support for adherence. Daily 3RH was considered more difficult due to the routine burden on caregivers. Interest-holders preferred 3HP overall but noted concerns about the high number of pills per dose. Mild side effects were reported with both regimens but did not result in discontinuation.
Conclusion:
Interest-holders favoured 3HP for its lower dosing burden, despite concerns about pill burden. Child-friendly, fixed-dose formulations and consideration of caregiver and child preferences are essential to improving adherence and treatment outcomes.
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