Factors contributing to Rifampicin Resistance Tuberculosis in South Africa: Scoping Review

Abstract

The emergence of drug-resistant strains has significantly complicated TB control efforts, with rifampicin-resistant TB representing a particularly concerning threat to public health. This study conducted a scoping review of factors contributing to Rifampicin-Resistant Tuberculosis in South Africa. The present scoping review included studies published in English from June 2014 to June 2024 that were conducted in South Africa and focused on factors contributing to Rifampicin Resistance tuberculosis. The researchers used a search strategy that involved multiple search engines and the selection of appropriate keywords to identify studies to be reviewed and included. For eligible studies, the researchers searched PubMed, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. The studies included were appraised using the JBI checklist. Data were extracted from all the studies that met the eligibility criteria based on the study ‘s objectives. This study revealed that various factors contribute to Rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis, including socio-economic, clinical, behavioural, psychological, environmental, structural, and policy factors. The results have also revealed the role of HIV co-infection and RR-TB, the magnitude and health impact of RR-TB and the interventions to address RR-TB. Rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) in South Africa is not only a biomedical issue but a multidimensional public health and social challenge. Despite the development of molecular diagnostics and more tolerable treatment regimens, persistent barriers such as late diagnosis, poor adherence, stigma, and inadequate service decentralisation continue to hamper control efforts. Effective control, therefore, requires a coordinated, multisectoral approach that integrates clinical innovation with social and structural reform. Future research and policy implementation should work hand in hand to translate evidence into sustainable action, ensuring that South