Tuberculosis in Selected Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (DATRCs) in Luzon, Philippines

Carl Abelardo T Antonio; Jonathan P Guevarra; Aubrey B Lara; Eleanor C Castillo; Lolita L Cavinta; Mikko Anthony L Ting; Kyle Patrick Y Eugenio; Kristine Joy L Tomanan; Ma Vilma V Diez; Anna Marie Celina G Garfin; Manuel C Panopio; Salvador Benjamin D Vista

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Tuberculosis in Selected Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (DATRCs) in Luzon, Philippines

Author: Carl Abelardo T. Antonio ^{1
,

2} ; Jonathan P. Guevarra ³ ; Aubrey B. Lara ⁴ ; Eleanor C. Castillo ³ ; Lolita L. Cavinta ^{5
,

6} ; Mikko Anthony L. Ting ⁴ ; Kyle Patrick Y. Eugenio ⁷ ; Kristine Joy L. Tomanan ^{4
,

8} ; Ma. Vilma V. Diez ⁹ ; Anna Marie Celina G. Garfin ¹⁰ ; Manuel C. Panopio ^{11
,

12} ; Salvador Benjamin D. Vista ^{13
,

14}
Author Information

1. Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
2. Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
3. Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
4. College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
5. Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
6. Institute of Herbal Medicine, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
7. College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
8. Department of Community Development, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
9. Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines
10. National Tuberculosis Control Program, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines
11. Philippine College of Addiction Medicine, Quezon City, Philippines
12. Department of Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines
13. Group for Addiction Psychiatry of the Philippines, Pasig City, Philippines
14. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: epidemiology; drug rehabilitation centers
MeSH: Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; Prevalence; Philippines; Tuberculosis; Psychiatric Rehabilitation; Behavior Therapy
From: Acta Medica Philippina 2020;54(5):479-484
CountryPhilippines
Language:English
Abstract: Background and Objectives:Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a public health concern in the Philippines. Vulnerable populations in congregate settings such as drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers (DATRCs) have higher risks of TB transmission and infection. With the Duterte administration’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs, government-retained DATRCs are filled to capacity. There is an identified need to profile drug users and dependents living in DATRCs. Furthermore, national guidelines for TB management specific to this population is absent. A study was conducted to determine the profile of admitted clients diagnosed with TB, TB prevalence, treatment outcomes and choice of TB diagnostic modalities in six (6) Luzon-based DATRCs from 2013-2015.
Methods:All medical records of drug users admitted in this period were reviewed. Information on the total patient census was sought from DATRC heads and used to compute for prevalence.
Results:A total of 347 records were obtained. Overall TB prevalence in the study sites was 7,216 per 100,000 population. The typical individual diagnosed with TB in a DATRC was male, with a mean age of 35 years, with at least high school education, and unemployed. Weight loss and fatigue were the most common symptoms reported. The majority (79.83%) completed TB treatment in the DATRCs. Sputum microscopy and chest x-ray were both used for TB diagnosis in 92.80% (322) of the cases.
Conclusion:The high burden of TB in Luzon-based, government-retained DATRCs is alarming and underscore the critical need for standards and guidelines in the National Tuberculosis Control Program addressing the unique context of these facilities.
Full text:2221-Article Text-11683-1-10-20201028.pdf