Open AccessDelivery of isoniazid preventive therapy to reduce occupational TB among healthcare workers in Swaziland
Author(s) -
Marianne Calnan,
Samson Haumba,
Makhosazana Matsebula,
Ntombifuthi Shongwe,
Munyaradzi Pasipamire,
Natalie Levy,
Munamato Mirira,
Peter Preko,
Alisha Smith-Arthur,
Varduhi Ghazaryan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
southern african journal of infectious diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2313-1810
pISSN - 2312-0053
DOI - 10.4102/sajid.v32i1.68
Subject(s) - medicine , isoniazid , tuberculosis , healthcare worker , health care , infection control , environmental health , family medicine , intensive care medicine , pathology , economics , economic growth
Healthcare workers (HCWs) in Swaziland are at increased risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB), but existing infection control and occupational health policies often fall short of mitigating the risk of acquiring TB in the workplace. Health service failure to systematically offer isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) to HCWs, which is endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), contributes significantly to the TB incidence among HCWs in high HIV prevalence settings. This paper describes a pilot introduction of IPT to HCWs, and expounds possible determinants for adherence and non-acceptance to IPT. Acceptance to the widespread use of IPT among HCWs can be improved through education on risk and counselling.