title: Psychosocial support groups for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: five years of experience.
abstract: This detailed case history traces the first 5 years of a psychosocial support group intervention aimed to improve adherence to individualized drug regimens for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Peru. A total of eight groups were established in metropolitan Lima and two provinces of Peru led by teams of psychiatrists and nurses. The intervention consisted of bi-monthly support groups, recreational excursions, symbolic celebrations, and periodic family workshops. Notably, of the 285 patients who participated in this intervention, only 3.5% defaulted from treatment. Details include the description of services, patient data, major psychosocial difficulties faced by this population, key challenges, and implications. Psychosocial support is a crucial component of treatment for MDR-TB in order to ensure completion of complicated treatment regimens and enable psychosocial rehabilitation after treatment.
authors.affiliation: Socios En Salud, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Acha
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sweetland
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chalco
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Palacios
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010568:Peru; D012944:Social Support; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant; D055815:Young Adult