Acceptability of hair harvest as a method of tuberculosis therapeutic drug monitoring among adult pulmonary TB patients: a qualitative study

This qualitative study explores the acceptability of using hair harvest and testing as a method for tuberculosis (TB) therapeutic drug monitoring among adult pulmonary TB patients. Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, the study examined patients’ perceptions and lived experiences regarding hair harvest for TB treatment adherence monitoring within their cultural and faith contexts. Four main themes emerged: cultural meanings of body parts, medical value of hair, perceptions about routine hospital use of hair testing, and perceived advantages/disadvantages. The study found that hair harvest for medical testing was acceptable to TB patients provided it was conducted by medical workers.