Publications

Acceptability of hair harvest as a method of tuberculosis therapeutic drug monitoring among adult pulmonary TB patients: a qualitative study

African Health Sciences

The article, “Acceptability of Hair Harvest as a Method of Tuberculosis Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Among Adult Pulmonary TB Patients: A Qualitative Study,” explores the willingness and comfort levels of adult pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients with the use of hair harvest as a method for monitoring the effectiveness of TB drug treatment.

In tuberculosis treatment, it is crucial to ensure that patients are taking their prescribed medications consistently. Monitoring drug levels in the body helps healthcare providers assess whether the treatment is effective. The study focuses specifically on the acceptability of using hair samples to monitor drug levels over time.

The qualitative study involves gathering insights directly from TB patients through interviews or discussions. The findings help researchers understand the patients’ perspectives on this method of drug monitoring. Understanding the acceptability of hair harvest as a monitoring tool is essential for healthcare providers and researchers to determine if it can be a feasible and patient-friendly approach in tuberculosis treatment. This information can contribute to the development of more accessible and acceptable methods for monitoring tuberculosis therapy, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

SANTHE is an Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) flagship programme funded by the Science for Africa Foundation through the DELTAS Africa programme; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Gilead Sciences Inc.; and the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard.