Doctor IPT ignorance contributing to TB epidemic - study

Abstract

A recently released study powerfully suggests that doctor resistance to prescribing highly effective isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) to their TB-negative HIV patients is contributing to the national TB epidemic.

Until now, much to the chagrin of the HIV Clinicians Society of Southern Africa, there has been significant anecdotal evidence about clinician resistance across the country to use the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended preventive TB therapy. The qualitative study is the first to produce actual evidence of doctor ignorance and/or fears of IPT in spite of exhortations, including from the national health minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to make it standard practice.