XDR-TB in South Africa: Detention is not the priority
2007
XDR-TB in South Africa: No Time for Denial or Complacency
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Eric Goemaere, Nathan Ford, Daniel Berman, Cheryl McDermid, Rachel Cohen
Primary Institution: Médecins Sans Frontières, Cape Town, South Africa
Conclusion
Detention of patients is not the priority in managing the spread of MDR- and XDR-TB in South Africa; instead, improvements in general TB control and access to treatment are urgently needed.
Supporting Evidence
- The TB epidemic in South Africa is largely linked to HIV.
- Effective MDR-TB management requires improvements in general TB control.
- Access to points of care needs to increase to manage rising patient numbers.
Takeaway
This study says that instead of locking up TB patients, we should focus on helping them get better and making sure they have access to treatment.
Participant Demographics
67% of TB patients in Khayelitsha are HIV positive; in Médecins Sans Frontières' programme in Lesotho, the figure rises to 92%.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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