Isoniazid prophylaxis for tuberculosis prevention among HIV infected police officers in Dar es Salaam

Abstract

To determine the acceptability, compliance and side effects of isoniazid (INH) prophylaxis against tuberculosis among HIV infected police officers (PO) in Dar es Salaam. Design: A nested study from a prospective follow up of a cohort of police officers. Setting: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Subjects: One hundred and forty three HIV-1 infected police officers. Main outcome measures: Acceptance and compliance to INH prophylaxis. Results: Of the 400 HIV-1 infected officers, 143 (35.7%) came forward for post-test counselling and HIV test results. Sixty per cent (87/143) of them accepted to be on INH prophylaxis. However only 42.5% (37/87) came forward for evaluation regarding their suitability for INH prophylaxis. During the evaluation, eight (21.6%) of 37 otherwise asymptomatic PO were found to have active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Eventually only 29 PO were actually started on INH, and only 16 (55.2%) of them completed the six months course. No serious side effects were observed. One PO developed TB two months after loss to follow up before completing the six months. Conclusions: There was low acceptability of and poor compliance with INH prophylaxis among the HIV-1 infected PO despite being educated on the benefits of prophylaxis. The prevalence of PTB among asymptomatic HIV-1 infected PO was high, and therefore persons with HIV infection should be examined for TB even in the absence of symptoms.