Assessment of dietary practices among tuberculosis patients in Southern Africa sub-region: A scoping review protocol

Malnutrition and TB have a bidirectional relationship: undernutrition increases TB risk and TB worsens nutritional status. Africa accounts for about 25% of global TB cases and many TB patients in the region are undernourished. Adequate diet is crucial for TB recovery and immune functions, yet many patients in Southern Africa lack sufficient calories and nutrients. Dietary practices such as meal frequency, diet diversity, macro- and micronutrient intake have been linked to treatment outcomes but are poorly documented in Southern Africa. This review will identify what is known about TB patients’ diets in the Southern Africa sub-region. This scoping review will aim to identify and summarize the evidence on dietary practices and nutritional intake among TB patients in the Southern Africa sub-region. The specific objectives are to (1) identify and map the range and nature of existing evidence on dietary practices among TB patients, (2) summarise the current evidence on dietary intake, including aspects such as nutrient consumption, dietary diversity, and food support, and (3) identify knowledge gaps related to the factors influencing dietary practices and eating patterns among TB patients during treatment in the Southern Africa sub-region.