Clinical and Psychosocial Determinants of Patients with Tuberculosis/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-Infection: A Structural Equation Model Approach

Background Tuberculosis (TB)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is a complex mesh of physical and psychosocial disorders that require a multimodal and multifaceted approach for improved outcomes. Aims This study determined the treatment outcomes of patients with TB/HIV co-infection and the clinico-psychosocial predictors of the disease over a 10-year period in resource-limited settings. Patients and methods This study reviewed the 10-year retrospective treatment outcomes of patients with TB/HIV co-infection in a tertiary centre. The data were retrieved from the TB treatment registers and analyzed with STATA 16.0. The effects of latent constructs of high clinical severity, stigmatization, and family stress/burden on treatment outcomes were evaluated using a structural equation model. Results Of the 1,321 who met the inclusion criteria, 1,193 had sufficient data. The mean age of the patients was 38.2 ± 16.7 years. The treatment adherence rate over the 10 years was 93.8% (±6.8%) but successful treatment outcome was 75.5% (±8.1%). Stigmatism of TB/HIV infections was experienced by adults and males (β = 0.972; P Conclusion TB/HIV co-infection is a complex psychosocial disorder that is significantly and negatively impacted by social determinants of the disease. A holistic approach to treatment intervention that addresses the latent factors of stigmatization, family stress/burden, and high clinical severity is key to achieving a successful treatment outcome.