Health System-related Factors Research Articles

Sociocultural, political, and health system-related determinants of perinatal deaths in Jordan from the perspectives of health care providers: a qualitative study

Background Perinatal mortality is a fundamental indicator of the quality of the healthcare provided to women during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the healthcare provided to neonates in the first week of life. At the national level, determining the direct and indirect causes of these deaths is vital, as it will assist in tracking the quality of antenatal, natal and postnatal care and help to detect the areas for avoidance. This study aimed to identify the main determinants of perinatal deaths in Jordan from the perspectives of health care providers (HCPs). Methods A descriptive qualitative approach using focus group discussion was used. Four focus groups were conducted in each of the four hospitals where the approached HCPs are employed. An average of 5 HCPs were interviewed in each focus group with a total of 80 HCPs participating in the 16 focus groups. Thematic analysis was carried out to analyze the data. Results The HCPs provided a detailed description of the determinants of perinatal and neonatal death from their points of view. Four main themes with multiple subthemes emerged, namely maternal factors (ignorance, concealment of medical condition, and husbands’ negligence), sociocultural factors (socioeconomic status, tribal and consanguineous marriage, and harmful cultural practices), political factors (early marriage driven by displacement and war consequences on maternal health), and health system-related factors (services management including capabilities and logistics, overcrowding of emergency rooms, discharge against medical advice, and unskilled general practitioners in private maternity clinics). Conclusions As perceived by HCPs, maternal factors, sociocultural factors, political factors, and health system-related factors are the main determinants of perinatal deaths in Jordan. Improvement in the quality of maternal and neonatal health care services, maternal health education, and maternity staff training are strongly recommended.

Initial loss to follow up of tuberculosis patients in South Africa: perspectives of program managers

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health problem in South Africa. Initial loss to follow up (LTFU) rates among TB patients are high, varying between 14.9 and 22.5%. From the perspective of patients, documented reasons for this include poor communication between patient and staff after testing, not being aware that results are ready and other competing priorities such as preference to go to work as opposed to seeking healthcare. Ward-based Outreach Teams (WBOTs) routinely conduct home visits to ensure adherence to medication for various conditions including TB. We explored reasons for TB initial loss to follow up from the perspectives of TB program managers and WBOT program managers, with a focus on the WBOT’s (potential) role in reducing initial LTFU, in particular.MethodsKey informant interviews with five WBOT program managers and four TB program managers were conducted. The interviews were audio-recorded, then transcribed and exported to NVivo 11 software for coding. A hybrid analytic approach consisting of both inductive and deductive coding was used to identify themes.ResultsThe age of the nine managers ranged between 28 and 52 years old, of which two were male. They had been in their current position for between 2 to 12 years. Prior to treatment initiation, WBOTs screen household members for TB and refer them for TB testing if need be, but integration of the two programs is emphasized only after TB treatment has been initiated. Counseling of patients testing for TB is not guaranteed due to frequent staff rotations and staff shortages. Participants reported that possible dissatisfaction with services as well as stigma associated with the TB diagnosis could explain loss to follow up prior to treatment initiation.ConclusionProgram managers view health system related factors such as staff rotations, poor communication with patients and lack of counseling as contributing to the problem of initial LTFU among TB patients. The integration of the WBOT and TB programs is limited to referring suspected cases for testing and patients already on treatment.

Therapeutic Inertia in People With Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care: A Challenge That Just Won't Go Away.

Therapeutic inertia is a prevalent problem in people with type 2 diabetes in primary care and affects clinical outcomes. It arises from a complex interplay of patient-, clinician-, and health system-related factors. Ultimately, clinical practice guidelines have not made an impact on improving glycemic targets over the past decade. A more proactive approach, including focusing on optimal combination agents for early glycemic durability, may reduce therapeutic inertia and improve clinical outcomes.

The relationship between all-cause mortality and depression in different gender and age groups of the Spanish population

BackgroundLiterature has shown that the effect of depression on all-cause mortality is stronger in men. However, it is less clear whether depression affects older and younger people equally. The present study is aimed to analyze whether depression is associated to all-cause mortality in different age and gender groups. MethodsWe analyzed a nationally representative sample of the Spanish adult population that was followed-up on for a period of 6 years (n = 4583). Unadjusted and adjusted cox proportional hazard regression models were conducted to test whether baseline depression was associated to all-cause mortality in the total sample and in the different gender and age specific groups, separately. ResultsUnadjusted analyses revealed that depression was associated with higher likelihood of having a shorter survival and dying, in the total sample and in both groups of men (18–64 and 65+ years). However, adjusted analyses stratified by age groups and gender revealed that depression was only a significant factor for all-cause mortality in 18–64 aged men (HR: 6.11; 95%CI= 2.16,17.23). LimitationsCause-specific mortality was not examined. Young adults and middle-aged participants were not analyzed separately. ConclusionsThe depression and all-cause mortality relationship was only found among young and middle-aged men. Further studies should consider whether the significant association between depression and all-cause mortality in young and middle-aged men is due to a behavior of seeking help less, the way depression is shaped in adult men, or to other clinical or health-system related factors.

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have hit you, but you would have killed your baby:\u201d exploring midwives\u2019 perspectives on disrespect and abusive Care in Ghana

BackgroundQuality maternal health reduces maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Healthcare professionals, including midwives, are significant agents for the promotion of quality maternal health. Frequents reports of disrespect and abuse of childbearing women by midwives during intrapartum care are becoming common, suggesting that many of these agents are engaging in care practices that compromise quality maternal health. Thus, understanding midwives’ descriptions and experiences of the phenomenon is critical to addressing the threat. This paper, therefore, explored the understanding of midwives on D&AC and their occurrence in professional practice in a tertiary health facility in Kumasi, Ghana.MethodsAn exploratory descriptive qualitative research design using an interpretative approach was employed in the study. Data were generated through individual in-depth interviews. Data saturation was reached with fifteen interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Open Code 4.03 was used to manage and analyse the data.ResultsThe midwives understood D&AC. They also confirmed meting out or witnessing colleagues engage in D&AC in their professional practice. The midwives described D&AC as the provision of inadequate care and the overlooking of patient-centred care, and verbal, physical, and psychological abuse. The themes revealed that socio-economic inequalities, provider perception and victim-blaming, and health system-related factors facilitate D&AC. It emerged that the following marginalized groups were at high risk for D&AC: the non-compliant, mentally ill, HIV/AIDs+, teenagers, poor, and childbearing women on admission at the general labour ward.ConclusionThe midwives understood D&AC and revealed that it frequently occurred in their professional practice. Frequent in-service training on respectful maternity care and monitoring of care provision in healthcare facilities are needed to eliminate the incidence of D&AC.

The Demand for Maternal and Child Health Care Services in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Latest Available Data for Selected Countries

It is evident that maternal and under-five child deaths have gradually reduced in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in the last three decades. In a bid to improve access and utilization of maternal and child health care services in the region, actors in public, private and civil society arenas at all levels have engaged in familiar circles towards service provisioning. Nevertheless, evidence from several SSA countries shows less utilization of some maternal and child health care services. The demand remains low for some services such as attendance of four antenatal visits as recommended by World Health Organization, delivery skilled birth attendants, postnatal care especially for newborns, child immunization, and use of modern contraceptives. The concern remains whether the less demand is influenced by supply-side or demand-side factors. The personal, socio-cultural, economic, health systems related factors may condition a person’s demand choices regardless of the need for a particular health service. Improved access may not necessarily translate into utilization because of these interrelated determinants of demand. Therefore, policy-makers might need to turn to Sen’s capability approach viewpoint to gaze at how expanding people’s choices-especially poor women might help to improve the demand for maternal and child health services in SSA. Policy interventions may include pro-poor healthcare service provisioning through public financing, improving women’s education, improving women’s access to information, etc. However, a multi-sectoral approach is necessary for addressing all demand determinants at all levels and the interventions should be context-specific.

Factors affecting supportive needs in hemodialysis patients: A literature review

Background:Explaining the factors affecting supportive needs of patients under hemodialysis seems to be essential to supply their needs. Also, it can help healthcare providers to make favorite decisions about care planning to improve the patients' quality of life.Objective:This study was conducted to determine the factors affecting supportive needs in hemodialysis patients using a literature review.Methods:This literature review was carried out in PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, SID, Magiran, and Iranmedex. Data based were searched from 2000 to 2018 using the keywords of “Need“, “Supportive Need“, and “Hemodialysis“. In a total of 239 full texts of published articles, 12 such relevant articles were selected.Results:The finding showed that the factors affecting the supportive need of patients can be categorised into two: internal and external factors. Internal factors consist of patient-related factors, disease-related factors, and treatment-related factors. External factors consist of personal living circumstances, health system-related factors and socioeconomic factors.Conclusion:By explaining the factors affecting supportive need in hemodialysis patients, it may help clinicians and researchers to identify the patients' need, developing an appropriate questionnaire, and implementing suitable intervention. As a result, it can improve their quality of life.

Assessment of care provision for hypertension at the emergency Department of an Urban Hospital in Mozambique

BackgroundManagement of hypertension in Mozambique is poor, and rates of control are amongst the lowest in the world. Health system related factors contribute at least partially to this situation, particularly in settings where there is scarcity of resources to address the double burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to assess the management of hypertension in an emergency department (ED).MethodsDuring a pragmatic and prospective 30-day snapshot study (with 24 h surveillance) and random profiling of one-in-five presentations to the ED of Hospital Geral de Mavalane, Maputo, we assessed patient’s flow and care, as well as health facility’s infrastructure and resources through direct observation. Reports from pharmacy and laboratory stocks were used to assess availability of diagnostics and medicines needed for hypertension management.ResultsThe 1911 hypertensive patients included in the study had several stops during their journey inside the health facility and followed a non-standardized care flow. No clinical protocols or algorithms for risk stratification of hypertension were available. Stock-outs of basic diagnostic tools for risk stratification and medicines were registered. The availability of medicines was 28% on average.ConclusionsCritical gaps in health facility readiness to address arterial hypertension seen in ED were uncovered, including lack of clinical protocols, insufficient availability of diagnostics and essential medicines, as well as low affordability of the families to guaranty continuum of care. Innovative financing mechanisms are needed to support the health system to address hypertension.

Primary care providers’ beliefs and practices on colorectal cancer screening in Kuwait

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health issue in the Arab region. In Kuwait, CRC is the second most frequent cancer, with an age-standardized (world) incidence rate of 13.2 cases/100,000 in 2018. Despite the national efforts to promote CRC screening the current participation rate is very low (5 to 17%). Primary Care Providers (PCPs) are considered as the gatekeepers of cancer screening globally. This is one of the first studies in Kuwait that examined the current beliefs/practices of PCPs on CRC screening. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at governmental primary care centers in Kuwait from 2015-2017. Of 564 PCPs invited to participate from all centers, 255 completed the self-administered questionnaires. The 14-page survey contained 75 questions on PCPs’ beliefs and practices of CRC screening. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Results The study sample consisted primarily of females (52.0%) and non-Kuwaiti (79%) physicians, with mean age =43.3 (SD: 11.2) years. Most respondents (92%) believed that colonoscopy is the most effective screening tool. The majority (78%) reported that they recommend CRC screening to their patients, with colonoscopy as the most frequent modality (87%) followed by the Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) (52%). Around 40% of the respondents stated that they did not have time to discuss CRC screening with their patients. The majority (72%) believed that their patients did not complete their CRC screening tests. Health system related barriers included difficulties in obtaining test results from the gastroenterologist (61.4%), ordering follow-up test after a positive screening test (50.6%) and shortage of trained staff to conduct the screening test (44.2%). Conclusions A majority of PCPs in Kuwait recommend CRC screening to their patients, but not all patients follow through their recommendation. More research is needed to find out how to further enhance patient uptake of CRC screening. Key messages Colonoscopy is the most frequent screening CRC modality used in Kuwait. Health system related factors can be important future intervention targets to promote CRC screening.

The organization and delivery of vaccination services in the European Union

Abstract Background The design and operation of health systems can influence vaccine uptake, including through the way that vaccination programmes are governed, financed and delivered. This study examined the organization and delivery of vaccination programmes in the 28 EU member states and key barriers and facilitators to improved vaccination coverage. Methods We undertook an umbrella review of systematic reviews on health system related factors influencing vaccine uptake and commissioned country fiches that describe the organization and delivery of vaccination programmes in each of the EU member states, followed by a comparative analysis. The focus was on measles vaccination for children and seasonal influenza vaccination for adults. Results In all countries covered, there is a dedicated agency in charge of developing and overseeing implementation of national vaccination plans and programmes. In 9 EU member states (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia), vaccinations against measles are mandatory for children, while in the remaining 19 countries they are voluntary, but recommended by the relevant authorities. However, the distinction between voluntary and mandatory immunization is not always clear-cut. In contrast, vaccinations for adults against influenza are voluntary in almost all EU member states, with the exception of Slovakia. Vaccinations are provided in most countries through primary care physicians or nurses. Conclusions There are many actions that health systems can take to improve vaccination coverage. These include a mix of incentives and sanctions, targeted measures and outreach services for vulnerable population groups, and an expansion of public financing for vaccinations against influenza, as well as the removal of administrative barriers.

Medication adherence for persons with spinal cord injury and dysfunction from the perspectives of healthcare providers: A qualitative study

Context: People with spinal cord injury and dysfunction (SCI/D) often take multiple medications (i.e. polypharmacy) to manage secondary health complications and multiple chronic conditions. Numerous healthcare providers are often involved in clinical care, increasing the risk of fragmented care, problematic polypharmacy, and conflicting health advice. These providers can play a crucial role in assisting patients with medication self-management to improve medication adherence.Design: A qualitative study involving telephone interviews, following a semi-structured guide that explored healthcare providers' conceptualization of factors impacting medication adherence for persons with SCI/D. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed descriptively and interpretively using a constant comparative process with the assistance of data display matrices. Analysis was guided by an ecological model of medication adherence.Setting and participants: Thirty-two healthcare providers from Canada, with varying clinical expertise.Intervention: Not Applicable.Outcome measures: Not Applicable.Results: Providers identified several factors that impact medication adherence for persons with SCI/D, which were grouped into micro (medication and patient-related), meso- (provider-related) and macro- (health system-related) factors. Medication-related factors included side effects, effectiveness, safety, and regimen complexity. Patient-specific factors included medication knowledge, preferences/expectations/goals, severity and type of injury, cognitive function/mental health, time since injury, and caregiver support. Provider-related factors included knowledge/confidence and trust. Health system-related factors included access to healthcare and access to medications. While providers were able to identify several factors influencing medication adherence, micro-level factors were the most frequently discussed.Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that strategies to optimize medication adherence for persons with SCI/D should be multi-faceted.

Factors Associated with the Use of Meditation, U.S. Adults 2017.

Objectives: Relatively little is known about who uses various types of meditation or how health problems and health care barriers might simultaneously impact its use. This article describes the current prevalence of meditation and identifies significant individual and health system-related factors associated with its use. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive analysis of the 2017 National Health Interview Survey analyzed in 2019. Setting/Location: United States. Subjects: The adult, civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population. Outcome measures: Self-reported use of any type of meditation in past year (mantra, mindfulness, spiritual, guided imagery, and progressive relaxation) or as part of yoga or t'ai chi practice. Control variables included demographic characteristics, health status, risk behaviors, and health system-related factors (self-reported barriers and facilitators to health care access) hypothesized to be associated with greater meditation use. Results: Over 46 million people (19% of the adult, civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population) currently practice some type of meditation. Three main factors predict meditation use: the presence of a health problem (chronic disease, pain, anxiety/depression, and sleeping problems), cost or access barriers to conventional medical care, and individual characteristics (younger age, female sex, and sexual minority status). Conclusions: Meditation is one of the most common forms of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States today. While its health benefits are still emerging, public health practitioners and clinicians should be aware of the increasing use of these therapies to treat common health problems, their relatively low prevalence among some groups that might benefit from them (such as older people, those with less healthy lifestyles, and men), and their higher use among those who face barriers to obtaining conventional care.

Misconceptions and the Acceptance of Evidence-based Nonsurgical Interventions for Knee Osteoarthritis. A Qualitative Study.

In contrast to best practice guidelines for knee osteoarthritis (OA), findings from several different healthcare settings have identified that nonsurgical treatments are underused and TKA is overused. Empirical evidence and qualitative observations suggest that patients' willingness to accept nonsurgical interventions for knee OA is low. A qualitative investigation of why patients may feel that such interventions are of little value may be an important step toward increasing their use in the treatment of knee OA QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: This qualitative study was embedded in a larger study investigating patient-related factors (beliefs/attitudes toward knee OA and its treatment) and health-system related factors (access, referral pathways) known to influence patients' decisions to seek medical care. In this paper we focus on the patient-related factors with the aim of exploring why patients may feel that nonsurgical interventions are of little value in the treatment of knee OA. A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted in a single tertiary hospital in Australia. Patients with endstage knee OA on the waiting list for TKA were approached during their preadmission appointment and invited to participate in one-to-one interviews. As prescribed by the qualitative approach, data collection and data analysis were performed in parallel and recruitment continued until the authors agreed that the themes identified would not change through interviews with subsequent participants, at which point, recruitment stopped. Thirty-seven patients were approached and 27 participated. Participants were 48% female; mean age was 67 years. Participants' beliefs about knee OA and its treatment were identified in the interview transcripts. Beliefs were grouped into five belief dimensions: identity beliefs (what knee OA is), causal beliefs (what causes knee OA), consequence beliefs (what the consequences of knee OA are), timeline beliefs (how long knee OA lasts) and treatment beliefs (how knee OA can be controlled). All participants believed that their knee OA was "bone on bone" (identity beliefs) and most (> 14 participants) believed it was caused by "wear and tear" (causal beliefs). Most (> 14 participants) believed that loading the knee could further damage their "vulnerable" joint (consequence beliefs) and all believed that their pain would deteriorate over time (timeline beliefs). Many (>20 participants) believed that physiotherapy and exercise interventions would increase pain and could not replace lost knee cartilage. They preferred experimental and surgical treatments which they believed would replace lost cartilage and cure their knee pain (treatment beliefs). Common misconceptions about knee OA appear to influence patients' acceptance of nonsurgical, evidence-based treatments such as exercise and weight loss. Once the participants in this study had been "diagnosed" with "bone-on-bone" changes, many disregarded exercise-based interventions which they believed would damage their joint, in favor of alternative and experimental treatments, which they believed would regenerate lost knee cartilage. Future research involving larger, more representative samples are needed to understand how widespread these beliefs are and if/how they influence treatment decisions. In the meantime, clinicians seeking to encourage acceptance of nonsurgical interventions may consider exploring and targeting misconceptions that patients hold about the identity, causes, consequences, timeline, and treatment of knee OA. Level II, prognostic study.

Identifying Barriers to Therapeutic Adherence in Type 2-Diabetes: A Complex and Multidimensional Clinical Issue

The problem of therapeutic non-adherence is a serious issue adversely affecting the adequate control and management of Type2 Diabetes (T2D).This unwelcoming situation has been studied well on various spots on the globe, with diverse results. The present study, aimed at identifying the barriers to therapeutic adherence, was conducted on a set of proven cases of T2D, managed by primary healthcare providers. The adherence rate to medication alone was 42% while to medication plus lifestyle recommendations 27%. Whereas sub-optimal health literacy, complexity of prescription and socioeconomic aspects were the main determinants, lapse on the part of healthcare system cannot be underscored. The present qualitative study was a preliminary investigation on a small sample .The magnitude of the problem necessitates that a large scale multi-centre in-depth quantitative study in 5 dimensions (recommended by WHO): socio-economic factors, health care team and system related factors, condition related factors , therapy related factors and patient related factors, be done on priority basis. This would pave the way for planning a well-designed intervention programme.

Delays to anti-tuberculosis treatment intiation among cases on directly observed treatment short course in districts of southwestern Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

BackgroundDelayed tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment increase morbidity, mortality, expenditure, and transmission in the community. This study assessed patient and provider related delays to diagnosis and treatment of TB.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 735 new adult TB cases registered between January to December 2015 in 10 woredas equivalent to districts of southwestern Ethiopia. Data were collected through face-to-face interview of patients within the first 2 months of treatment initiation. Delay in days was tracked at three intervals: between onset of symptoms and self-presentation (Patient delay), Self-presentation to treatment initiation (Provider delay) and total delay. Days elapsed beyond median were used to define the delays. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression models were fit to identify predictors of delays and statistical significance was judged at p < 0.05.ResultThe median (inter-quartile range) of patient, provider and total delays were 25 (IQR;15–36), 22 (IQR:9–48) and 55 (IQR:32–100) days, respectively. More than half (54.6%) of the total delay was attributed to health system. Prior self-treatment [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR)]: 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.07–2.75), HIV co-infection (aOR:1.8, 95% CI: 1.05–3.10) and extra-pulmonary TB (aOR: 1.54,95% CI:1.03–2.29) were independently associated with increased odds of patient delay. On the other hand initial presentation to health posts or private clinics (aOR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.0) and patient delay (aOR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.33–2.50) significantly predicted longer provider delay. Finally, having extra pulmonary TB (aOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.07–2.38), prior consultation of traditional healer (aOR: 3.72, 95% CI: 1.01–13.77) and use of holy water (aOR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.11, 6.70) independently predicted longer total delay.ConclusionTuberculosis patients waited too long time to initiate anti-TB treatment reflecting longer periods of morbidity and disease transmission. The delays are attributed to the patient, disease and health system related factors. Hence, improving community awareness, involving informal providers, health extension workers and TB treatment supporters can reduce the patient delay. Similarly, cough screening and improving diagnostic efficiencies of healthcare facilities should be in place to reduce the provider delays.

Pre-treatment loss to follow-up and treatment delay among bacteriologically-confirmed tuberculosis patients diagnosed in Mandalay Region, Myanmar

BackgroundPre-treatment loss to follow-up (PTLFU) among tuberculosis (TB) patients is a global public health problem, because such patients are highly infectious and experience high mortality. There is no published evidence on this issue from Myanmar.ObjectiveTo determine PTLFU and treatment delays (> 7 days duration between the date of diagnosis and starting anti-TB treatment) and their associated demographic, clinical, and health system-related factors among bacteriologically confirmed (sputum smear-positive and/or Xpert-positive) TB patients diagnosed in public health facilities of the Mandalay Region between January and June 2017.MethodThis was a cohort study involving secondary analysis of routine programme data. Every bacteriologically confirmed TB patient in the laboratory register was tracked for at least 3 months in the treatment register. Patients neither found in the treatment register nor referred out for treatment were considered PTLFU.ResultsOf the 1365 bacteriologically confirmed patients diagnosed, 1051 (77%) started on anti-TB treatment, 200 (15.6%) were referred for treatment to health facilities outside the study area, and 114 (8.4%, 95% CI 7.0%–9.9%) did not initiate anti-TB treatment (PTLFU). PTLFU was significantly higher in those with TB/HIV co-infected (18%), sputum smear-negative but Xpert MTB-positive patients (31%), and patients diagnosed at a moderate- or high-volume facility (> 50 patients tested form TB during the study period) (~ 10%). Of the 940 patients with dates recorded, 46 (5%) had a treatment delay of more than 7 days. Patients aged 45–64 years had higher risk of treatment delay compared to those aged 15–44 years. About 97% of records did not have a phone number recorded.ConclusionPTLFU and treatment delay were relatively low in the Mandalay Region. While this is reassuring, urgent steps must be taken to address those that are lost, which includes improving documentation of phone numbers to improve ‘trackability’, instituting proactive measures to trace patients lost in the care pathway, and introducing an indicator in the national tuberculosis programme (NTP) monthly report to monitor and review PTLFU. Patient subgroups with higher PTLFU should receive priority attention.

PO 8417 RISING TRENDS IN TB MORTALITY AMID DECLINE IN CASES NOTIFIED IN A RURAL COUNTY IN KENYA: COHORT STUDY

BackgroundDespite introduction of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools and aggressive treatment for tuberculosis (TB), it is still a global health problem. In 2016, globally, 1.7 million people died of TB, 95% from resource-poor countries. This study aimed to estimate changing trends in all-cause mortality rate and identify features associated with mortality among suspected TB patients on treatment.MethodsA cohort study of patients registered in a TB surveillance system from 2012 to 2016 and followed up for six months during TB treatment. The outcome was all-cause mortality within six months of TB treatment. The exposures examined were demographic and clinical features at the time of starting TB treatment.ResultsA total of 10,717 participants, median (IQR) age 33 (24–45) years, of which 3163 (30%) were HIV-infected were included in the analyses. During follow-up of 5175.5 person-years (PY), 585/10,717 (5.5%) participants died; mortality rate was 12.2 (95% CI 11.3,13.3) deaths per 100PY. The yearly mortality rate increased from 7.79 (95% CI 6.35, 9.54) in 2012 to 17.73 (95% CI 14.93, 21.06) in 2016 per 100PY (Ptrend &lt;0.001) but the number of suspected-TB notifications declined from 2610 (24%) in 2012 to 1689 (16%) in 2016 (Ptrend=0.02). 77% of all deaths occurred by month three. Mortality among HIV-infected participants was higher (325/3163; 10.3%) than among HIV-non-infected participants (251/7413; 3.4%; p&lt;0.001). Old age, being a female, type of TB diagnosis used, body mass index (BMI) &lt;18.5, HIV status and year of diagnosis were associated with mortality in the multivariate regression model.ConclusionThis large population level TB study identifies an alarming trend of patients dying within months of starting treatment. These early deaths could be due to late diagnosis and multidrug-resistance. The study warrants further investigation to go beyond already established indicators which remained constant (including HIV co-infection), to explore host, disease or health system related factors that may explain the observed trend.

Treatment delayed is treatment denied: The tortuous pathway to care for acute coronary syndrome

Background: Time duration between symptom onset and treatment in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is important in determining survival outcomes. This study aimed to determine the extent of delays that occur in the pathway to seeking specific treatment among ACS patients and to explore the associated factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, among patients with ACS. A questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic details, clinical features, time duration, and health system-related factors. The time delay at various levels was expressed as median and interquartile range (IQR). Nonparametric tests were applied to test for statistical differences in subgroups. Results: Among 232 ACS patients, the median (IQR) delay from symptom onset to decision-making was 30 min (10, 240), from decision-making to arriving at the first facility was 30 min (15, 45), and from decision-making to receiving specific treatment was 23.3 h (1, 170). Nearly 91% of the patients contacted private health facilities first and only 21.1% received any specific treatment at the first facility they contacted. The two most common reasons for referral from a lower level health facility were lack of infrastructure and lack of a specialist. Conclusions: Significant delays occurred in the pathway to receiving specific treatment for ACS, especially due to delays in decision-making and number of facilities contacted in the initial period not being able to provide specific treatment. Private health facilities are more sought after for emergency care of ACS.

Supporting Adherence to Medicines for Long-Term Conditions

Abstract. Pharmaceutical prescriptions are core to the treatment of most chronic illnesses, yet only half are taken as prescribed. Despite the high costs of nonadherence to individuals and society, effective adherence-promoting interventions are elusive. This is partly due to the sheer complicity of the issue. There are numerous determinants of adherence, both internal to the patient (intrinsic) and external (extrinsic, e.g., environmental or health system-related factors). Also, the relative importance of these determinants varies between individuals and even within the same individual over time and across treatments, presenting a challenge for intervention design. One complication is that interventions can target several levels: (1) patient (e.g., enhancing motivation and/or ability to adhere), (2) patient-provider interactions (e.g., improving communication and the prescribing process), and (3) the healthcare system (e.g., providing the opportunity to access medication through regulatory approval and co-payment schemes). Here, we focus on level 1: the patient. Although environmental factors are important, the effect of an intervention designed to change them will depend on how they impact on the individual. We describe the Perceptions and Practicalities Approach (PAPA), a pragmatic framework positing that adherence/nonadherence is essentially a produce of individual motivation and ability. Adherence interventions, targeted at any level, will therefore be more effective if tailored to address the perceptions and practicalities underpinning individual motivation and ability. We discuss how PAPA can be operationalized, including the application of theoretical models of illness and treatment representation (Necessity-Concerns Framework and Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model) to address salient adherence-related perceptions.

Tuberculosis retreatment outcomes and associated factors: a mixed-methods study from Puducherry, India.

Setting: Four Tuberculosis (TB) Units in the Union Territory of Puducherry in India. Objectives: To identify factors associated with unfavourable outcomes among retreatment TB cases in Puducherry. Design: The study had a mixed-methods design in which routinely reported TB data from retreatment TB cases registered during 2014 and 2015 were used for the quantitative part; the qualitative phase comprised interviews and focus group discussions with health care providers. Results: Among the 392 retreatment cases, 297 (75.8%) had favourable outcomes. Outcome for previous treatment such as loss to follow-up (LTFU) (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.6, 95%CI 1.1-2.4, P = 0.001), treatment failure (aRR 1.7, 95%CI 1.04-2.8, P = 0.03) and pre-treatment weight <40 kg (aRR 1.8, 95%CI 1.3-2.5, P = 0.001) had increased risk for unfavourable outcomes. Health care providers reported that alcoholism, lack of family support, job-related issues and lack of access to trained staff for injections were some of the reasons for unfavourable outcomes. Providing incentives, nutritional supplements and early retrieval of the LTFU cases were some of the suggestions to reduce unfavourable outcomes. Conclusion: Outcome of previous treatment and low pre-treatment weight of the patient affected retreatment outcomes. Health professionals and workers highlighted social and health system-related factors. Commitment at all levels on the part of health care providers and addressing their concerns can improve retreatment outcomes.