Experiences of children and their caregivers affected by multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Cape Town, South Africa

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323492
• Publication Date: 2025-05-19T17:27:48Z
• Authors: Abenathi Mcinziba; Dillon T. Wademan; Klassina Zimri; Stephanie Jacobs; Khanyisa Mcimeli; H. Simon Schaaf; Anneke C. Hesseling; James A. Seddon; Thomas Wilkinson; Graeme Hoddinott
• Keywords: Tolerability; Thematic Analysis

Background Approximately 30,000 children (<15 years) develop multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) each year. MDR-TB severely impacts the lives of and their families, yet data exploring experiences are limited. We describe routinely treated for caregivers throughout journeys in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods conducted a series three in-depth qualitative interviews (48 total) with 17 and/or between April 2021 September 2021. selected who had been 2018 applied deductive, thematic analysis to case summaries illustrative examples from interviews. Findings Children negative journey, before diagnosis, during diagnostic process, through treatment, beyond treatment completion. experienced delays acquiring accurate timely diagnosis; stating lack symptom recognition repeated referrals health facilities. Once on challenges administering medication as resisted taking medications due poor palatability, tolerability, side effects. Some reported that, extended physical such shortness breath. Additionally, diagnosis negatively affected family life, adjusted household spending toward foods that facilitated ingestion mitigated Caregivers also juggled attending children’s care other priorities. Conclusion There multifactorial by journey. Research is needed holistic interventions child-caregiver-centred psychosocial support mitigate impact prevention, earlier simpler, child-friendly regimens. [1112,3]