Tuberculosis in Selected Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (DATRCs) in Luzon, Philippines

Background and Objectives. Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a public health concern in the Philippines. Vulnerablepopulations in congregate settings such as drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers (DATRCs) have higherrisks of TB transmission and infection. With the Duterte administration’s intensified campaign against illegaldrugs, government-retained DATRCs are filled to capacity. There is an identified need to profile drug users anddependents living in DATRCs. Furthermore, national guidelines for TB management specific to this population isabsent. A study was conducted to determine the profile of admitted clients diagnosed with TB, TB prevalence,treatment outcomes and choice of TB diagnostic modalities in six (6) Luzon-based DATRCs from 2013-2015. Methods. All medical records of drug users admitted in this period were reviewed. Information on the totalpatient census was sought from DATRC heads and used to compute for prevalence. Results. A total of 347 records were obtained. Overall TB prevalence in the study sites was 7,216 per 100,000population. The typical individual diagnosed with TB in a DATRC was male, with a mean age of 35 years, with at leasthigh school education, and unemployed. Weight loss and fatigue were the most common symptoms reported. Themajority (79.83%) completed TB treatment in the DATRCs. Sputum microscopy and chest x-ray were both used forTB diagnosis in 92.80% (322) of the cases. Conclusion. The high burden of TB in Luzon-based, government-retained DATRCs is alarming and underscorethe critical need for standards and guidelines in the National Tuberculosis Control Program addressing the uniquecontext of these facilities.