Isoniazid preventive therapy among HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy diagnosed with latent tuberculosis: A retrospective assessment of the outcome in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND

People infected with HIV are at a higher risk up to 20-folds of developing active TB than those not infected with HIV. Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) is employed in HIV eligible individuals to prevent progression of active tuberculosis (TB) disease. However, there is limited data on the efficacy of IPT in clinical settings in Tanzania and other parts of the world. This study was carried to assess the real-time IPT effectiveness in preventing TB incidences among HIV infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was carried employing secondary data of 1000 HIV infected individuals receiving anti-retroviral therapy. TB incidence and associated factors were determined after a four years follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 1000 people were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 44.87 years. The incidence rate was 7.37/1000 person-years (PY) [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.96-13.71]. One percent (1%) of patients developed active tuberculosis within four years of follow up after receiving isoniazid tablets as part of IPT.

CONCLUSION

IPT has a high efficacy in preventing active TB development among HIV infected individuals on ART in clinical settings thus warranting the scale up of IPT services in the country.