Journal article
Changing from single-drug to fixed-dose combinations: Experience from Fiji
R Mahadeo, S Gounder, SM Graham
Public Health Action | INT UNION AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS LUNG DISEASE (I U A T L D) | Published : 2014
DOI: 10.5588/pha.14.0024
Open access
Abstract
Background Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of firstline anti-tuberculosis drugs were introduced in Fiji in 2011, and there have been concerns about treatment response.Objective: To evaluate the treatment response to FDCs among tuberculosis (TB) patients.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken of treatment outcomes of new TB cases registered from January 2010 to April 2013 and weighing ≥30 kg. Sputum smear conversion of new sputum smear-positive cases and end-of-treatment outcomes of all cases were evaluated for those receiving FDCs and compared to outcomes with previous use of single-drug preparations.Results: Among new TB patients, 240 received single- drug preparations and 259 ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
This research was conducted through the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT). The training was run in Fiji by the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji and The Union, Paris, France. Additional support for running the course was provided by the Public Health Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia; Centre for International Child Health, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Regional Public Health, Hutt Valley District Health Board, Lower Hutt, New Zealand; the National TB Programme, Fiji Ministry of Health, Suva, Fiji. Funding for the course was provided by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland, with co-funding by The Union; the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR); Public Health Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia; Centre for International Child Health, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Population Health, Brisbane, QLD, University of Queensland, Australia.