Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment Scale-Up Among Antiretroviral Therapy Patients — 16 Countries Supported by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, 2017–2019
Michael Melgar, Catherine Nichols, Joseph S. Cavanaugh, Hannah L. Kirking, Diya Surie, Anand Date, Sevim Ahmedov, Susan A. Maloney, Rena Fukunaga, CDC Country Offices’ Tuberculosis/HIV Advisors, CDC Country Offices’ Tuberculosis/HIV Advisors, Ho Thi Van Anh, Peter R. Kerndt, Deus Lukoye, Daniel Magesa, Talent Maphosa, Magdalene Mange Mayer, Katlego Motlhaoleng, Bethrand Odume, Munyaradzi Pasipamire, Sarah Porter, Ahmed Saadani Hassani, James Simpungwe, Edwin Sithole, Herman Weyenga, Gabriel Loni Ekali, Clorata Gwanzura, Isaya Jelly, Muthoni Karanja, Patrick Lungu, Gugulethu Madonsela, Dorothy Maloboka, Ivan Manhiça, Do Thi Nhan, Stavia Turyahabwe, Emperor Ubochioma, Kgomotso Vilakazi Nhlapo, Thomas Webhale
Abstract
Relief (PEPFAR) during April 1, 2017-March 31, 2019. During this period, these 16 countries accounted for approximately 90% of PEPFAR-supported ART patients. During April 1, 2017-September 30, 2018, TB symptom screening increased from 54% to 84%. Overall, nearly 2 million ART patients initiated TPT, and 60% completed treatment during October 1, 2017-March 31, 2019. Although TPT initiations increased substantially, completion among those who initiated TPT increased only from 55% to 66%. In addition to continuing gains in initiation, improving retention after initiation and identifying barriers to TPT completion are important to increase TPT scale-up and reduce global TB mortality.