Diverse clinical and social circumstances: developing patient-centred care for DR-TB patients in South Africa

OBJECTIVE: To describe the medical, socio-economic and geographical profiles of patients with rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) and the implications for the provision of patient-centred care.SETTING: Thirteen districts across three South African provinces.DESIGN: This descriptive study examined laboratory and healthcare facility records of 194 patients diagnosed with RR-TB in the third quarter of 2016.RESULTS: The median age was 35 years; 120/194 (62%) of patients were male. Previous TB treatment was documented in 122/194 (63%) patients and 56/194 (29%) had a record of fluoroquinolone and/or second-line injectable resistance. Of 134 (69%) HIV-positive patients, viral loads were available for 68/134 (51%) (36/68 [53%] had viral loads of >1000 copies/ml) and CD4 counts were available for 92/134 (69%) (20/92 [22%] had CD4