TB screening, prevention and treatment cascade in a Malawi prison

• DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.22.0115
• Publication Date: 2022-09-27T04:30:56Z
• Authors: P. Mangochi; C. Bossard; C. Catacutan; D. Van Laeken; C. Kwitonda; R. Ortuno; L. Chiwaula; M. Meis; A. Abura; J. Furin; J. Mpunga; E. Goemare; T. Ellman; D. Garone; G. Ferlazzo; P. Isaakidis
• Keywords: Rifapentine

BACKGROUND Incarcerated individuals, especially in high HIV and TB burden settings, are at increased risk of latent infection and/or disease. We implemented a comprehensive HIV-TB intervention Malawi prison studied its feasibility.METHODS Between February December 2019, consenting individuals underwent screening for HIV, HIV-positive without disease were treated with fixed-dose combination isoniazid, cotrimoxazole vitamin B6 (INH-CTX-B6). HIV-negative persons received 12 weeks isoniazid rifapentine (3HP).RESULTS Of 1,546 1,498 (96.9%) screened 1,427 (92.3%) included the analysis: 96.4% male, median age was 31 years (IQR 25-38). Twenty-nine (2.1%) participants diagnosed disease, whom 89.7% started 61.5% completed treatment. included, 341 (23.9%) HIV-positive, 98.5% on antiretroviral therapy 95% INH-CTX-B6. Among 1,086 participants, 1,015 (93.5%) tuberculin skin test (TST), 670 (65.9%) TST-positive, 666 (99.4%) 3HP 570 (85.5%) treatment.CONCLUSION A treatment package among incarcerated acceptable feasible, showed prevalence infection. Treatment uptake excellent, but completion needs to be improved. Greater investment services, including access shorter regimens follow-up upon release, is needed individuals.