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

• Published in: BMC public health Vol. 20; no. 1; p. 622
• Main Authors: Mwansa-Kambafwile, Judith R M, Jewett, Sara, Chasela, Charles, Ismail, Nazir, Menezes, Colin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 06.05.2020; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Coding; Communication; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Initial loss to follow up; Integration; Interviews; Laboratories; Medical personnel; Microscopy; Mortality; Patients; Program managers; Public health; South Africa; Studies; TB treatment; Teams; Tuberculosis; South Africa; India; Initial loss to follow up; TB treatment; South Africa; Program managers

Tuberculosis (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 testi...