Tuberculosis Case Finding and Case Holding Practices In Selected Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (DATRCS) In Luzon, Philippines

  • Jonathan P. Guevarra Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Eleanor C. Castillo Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Carl Abelardo T. Antonio Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
  • Mikko Anthony L. Ting College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Lolita L. Cavinta Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines, Institute of Herbal Medicine, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Audrey B. Lara College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Kyle Patrick Y. Eugenio College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Kristine Joy L. Tomanan College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines, Department of Community Development, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
  • Ma. Vilma V. Diez Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines
  • Anna Marie Celina G. Garfin National Tuberculosis Control Program, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines
  • Manuel C. Panopio Philippine College of Addiction Medicine, Quezon City, Philippines, Department of Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center – Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines
  • Salvador Benjamin D. Vista Group for Addiction Psychiatry of the Philippines, Pasig City, Philippines, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.vi0.3112
Keywords: tuberculosis, case finding, case holding, drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers, Philippines

Abstract

Background and Objectives. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health problem in the Philippines despite trends indicating a decline in the burden of disease. Persons who use drugs who are confined in government-retained drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers (DATRCs) face an increased risk for TB because of the congestion in the facility coupled with the absence of guidelines on TB management specific to DATRCs. Thus, this study was conducted to document the current case finding and case holding practices as well as TB treatment pathway in six (6) Luzon-based, government-retained DATRCs.

Methods. Key informant interviews were conducted with DATRC personnel involved in TB diagnosis and management in six selected DATRCs in Luzon, Philippines. Interviews were transcribed and coded for thematic analysis. We compared the DATRC practices with the provisions of the 2014 National TB Control Program (NTP) Manual of Procedures. Results were validated through a workshop with (a) a group of physicians and rehabilitation practitioners assigned in other DATRCs; and (b) a group of experts who have experience in managing or overseeing DATRCs in the country.

Results. Two physicians and four nurses participated in the interviews. Variations in case finding and case holding practices in six DATRCs have been found. National guidelines exist for congregate settings but are more specific to jails/prisons, which are administratively and operationally different from DATRCs.

Conclusion. Development of special guidelines for TB case finding and case holding in DATRCs as well as staff training on the latest NTP Manual of Procedures are recommended. However, gaps and inequities posed by the current set-up underscore the need to address health system-wide factors affecting the practice and performance of these facilities.

Published
2022-03-03
How to Cite
1.
Guevarra JP, Castillo EC, Antonio CAT, Ting MAL, Cavinta LL, Lara AB, Eugenio KPY, Tomanan KJL, Diez MVV, Garfin AMCG, Panopio MC, Vista SBD. Tuberculosis Case Finding and Case Holding Practices In Selected Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (DATRCS) In Luzon, Philippines. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2022Mar.3 [cited 2024Apr.20];56(3). Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/3112
Issue
Vol 56 No 3 (2022)
Section
Articles

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