Abstract
BackgroundA major constraint to tuberculosis control is low case finding with under-reporting to national authorities. Evidence shows that Patent Medicine Dealers are first port of call for most people with symptoms of tuberculosis, yet there is poor referral of such clients to tuberculosis treatment facilities for further evaluation. This study investigated constraints to involvement of Patent Medicine Dealers in tuberculosis control.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional qualitative study among Patent Medicine Dealers and Tuberculosis Control Programme Managers in Ebonyi State Nigeria. Sixty-four Patent Medicine Dealers and five Tuberculosis Control Programme Managers were interviewed using Focus Group Discussion and In-Depth Interview respectively. Data was collected with electronic audio-recording device and analyzed using thematic approach.ResultsThere are some knowledge gaps about tuberculosis signs, symptoms, free-treatment policy and mode of operation of care service among Patent Medicine Dealers. Patent Medicine Dealers and Tuberculosis Control Programme Managers are willing to collaborate in tuberculosis control effort but constant demand for incentives by Patent Medicine Dealers and inability of National Tuberculosis Control Programme to keep up with such demands are obvious constraints.ConclusionsKnowledge gaps in tuberculosis, its control, constant demand for incentives by Patent Medicine Dealers and inability of National Tuberculosis Control Programme to satisfy such demands are constraints to involvement of Patent Medicine Dealers in tuberculosis control. More robust engagement of Patent Medicine Dealers in tuberculosis control with clear job description through tuberculosis education and provision of incentives to support them are recommended policy approaches to improve linkage of clients to tuberculosis treatment facilities.
Highlights
A major constraint to tuberculosis control is low case finding with under-reporting to national authorities
Prompt diagnosis of TB is a priority for its control and the key step to diagnosis is referral of Presumptive TB Clients (PTBCs) to a Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) facility where definitive diagnosis and treatment take place
Each of the Focus group discussion (FGD) was made up of 8 Patent medicine dealer (PMD) giving a total of 64 participants with an age range of 23–50 years and median age of 32 years
Summary
A major constraint to tuberculosis control is low case finding with under-reporting to national authorities. Evidence shows that Patent Medicine Dealers are first port of call for most people with symptoms of tuberculosis, yet there is poor referral of such clients to tuberculosis treatment facilities for further evaluation. This study investigated constraints to involvement of Patent Medicine Dealers in tuberculosis control. Documented evidence shows that in low- and middleincome countries, Patent Medicine Dealers (PMDs) who largely operate pharmacies and drug shops constitute the first port of call for most persons with symptoms of TB [5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13], and provide medicines and services for other health needs. PMDs are indispensable to TB control and their potential role in this regard has been reported [8, 9, 11,12,13,14]
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