Background: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) control relies on high initiation and completion rates of preventive\ntreatment to preclude progression to tuberculosis disease. Specific interventions may improve initiation and completion\nrates. The objective was to systematically review data on determinants of initiation, adherence and completion of LTBI\ntreatment, and on interventions to improve initiation and completion.\nMethods: A systematic review of the literature (PubMed, Embase) published up to February 2014 was performed.\nRelevant prospective intervention studies were assessed using GRADE.\nResults: Sixty-two articles reporting on determinants of treatment initiation and completion were included and\n23 articles on interventions. Determinants of LTBI treatment completion include shorter treatment regimen\nand directly observed treatment (DOT, positive association), adverse events and alcohol use (negative association), and\nspecific populations with LTBI (both positive and negative associations). A positive effect on completion was noted in\nintervention studies that used short regimens and social interventions; mixed results were found for intervention\nstudies that used DOT or incentives.\nConclusion: LTBI treatment completion can be improved by using shorter regimens and social interventions.\nSpecific needs of the different populations with LTBI should be addressed taking into consideration the setting\nand condition in which the LTBI treatment programme is implemented.
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