Factors Influencing the Uptake of Isoniazid Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy among Eligible HIV Patients in Africa: A Systematic Review

This review employs a non-empirical research design, specifically a systematic review, to investigate evidence-based factors influencing the adoption of isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) among eligible HIV patients. The objective is to contextualize these factors within an African setting, facilitating their accessibility for policymakers.

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search across various databases, including Google Scholar, Africa-wide information, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus (EBSCO), Education Sources, Health Sources – Consumer Edition, Health Sources: Nursing/Academic Edition, Humanities and Social Sciences Index Retrospective Humanities Sources, MasterFILE Premier, MEDLINE, and SociINDEX was conducted. The inclusion criteria were met by a total of n=11 full-text articles from accredited peer-reviewed journals. Utilizing a quality assessment research instrument tool, the gathered data were synthesized and analyzed. The review spanned African sources from January 2019 to April 2023, revealing diverse factors affecting IPT uptake, encompassing influences from health workers, patients, and health system-related aspects.

The study revealed the interplay of various factors categories into four themes that influence IPT intake mostly at the facility level and include: Patient-related factors, healthcare care providers, and health facility factors and strategies to improve IPT uptake.

The study's findings underscore the significance of implementing Quality Improvement (QI) interventions comprising three essential components delivered as a cohesive package. Moreover, the study advocates for the incorporation of m-Health technology to send reminders to patients, thereby enhancing completion rates for IPT.

The papers revealed patient, health care workers, and health system challenges that requires the adoption of strategies such as quality improvement interventions, coupled with data monitoring, improving supply chain management, supportive supervision, enhanced health care infrastructure, healthcare workers capacity building, Partnership, Community and patient engagement and the integration of m-health technology as effective strategies to improve IPT uptake.