Missed Opportunities in Engaging Community Pharmacies for Integrated Tuberculosis Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Call to Action.

There is a high burden of both diabetes (DM) and tuberculosis (TB) in China, and this study aimed to assess feasibility and results of screening patients with TB for DM within the routine healthcare setting of six health facilities. Agreement on how to screen, monitor and record was reached in May 2011 at a stakeholders' meeting, and training was carried out for staff in the six facilities in July 2011. Implementation started in September 2011, and we report on 7 months of activities up to 31 March 2012. There were 8886 registered patients with TB. They were first asked whether they had DM. If the answer was no, they were screened with a random blood glucose (RBG) followed by fasting blood glucose (FBG) in those with RBG ≥ 6.1 mm (one facility) or with an initial FBG (five facilities). Those with FBG ≥ 7.0 mm were referred to DM clinics for diagnostic confirmation with a second FBG. Altogether, 1090 (12.4%) patients with DM were identified, of whom 863 (9.7%) had a known diagnosis of DM. Of 8023 patients who needed screening for DM, 7947 (99%) were screened. This resulted in a new diagnosis of DM in 227 patients (2.9% of screened patients), and of these, 226 were enrolled to DM care. In addition, 575 (7.8%) persons had impaired fasting glucose (FBG 6.1 to <7.0 mm). Prevalence of DM was significantly higher in patients in health facilities serving urban populations (14.0%) than rural populations (10.6%) and higher in hospital patients (13.5%) than those attending TB clinics (8.5%). This pilot project shows that it is feasible to screen patients with TB for DM in the routine setting, resulting in a high yield of patients with known and newly diagnosed disease. Free blood tests for glucose measurement and integration of TB and DM services may improve the diagnosis and management of dually affected patients.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the third leading cause of death among women of reproductive age, and undiagnosed TB among pregnant women can result in poor outcomes for both women and their children. Therefore, it is essential for National Tuberculosis Programs (NTPs) to strengthen their policies and guidelines addressing TB in pregnant women and adopt more efficient screening practices. The purpose of this situational analysis is to identify key approaches to addressing TB in pregnancy and to identify barriers and recommendations for the integration of TB and Antenatal Care (ANC) services. Methods: We conducted an initial desk review of the existing literature and recommendations from international organizations on global strategies to address TB among pregnant women. We developed a multi-country survey to gather information on current practices regarding TB screening and treatment among pregnant women as well as barriers to integration of TB services with ANC services. Results: We received survey responses from five countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam). Only Myanmar had fully integrated TB and ANC services. While respondents from all countries identified the potential benefits of TB/ANC service integration, the most commonly identified barriers to implementation included lack of management capacity to supervise integrated services, inadequate staff, and lack of knowledge about TB among ANC staff. Conclusion: While countries are aware of the advantages and opportunities associated with integrating TB services into other health care services, the implementation of such integration remains a challenge. Integration of services is one of the key recommendations of this study. Where services have been fully integrated, operational research is needed to evaluate its impact.

BackgroundSouth Africa has dual epidemics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB). Nurse-focused training was combined with onsite mentoring for nurses to improve HIV and TB care. A pre-/postevaluation was conducted in 3 districts in South Africa to assess the effects of the course on clinical patient monitoring and integration of TB and HIV care.MethodsTwo cross-sectional, unmatched samples of patient charts at 76 primary healthcare facilities were collected retrospectively in 2014 to evaluate the impact of training on treatment monitoring. Proportions of HIV patients receiving a viral load test 6 months after initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) and TB patients receiving end of intensive phase sputum testing were compared pre- and posttraining. Analysis of creatinine clearance testing and integration of TB and HIV care were also performed.ResultsData were analyzed from 1074 pretraining and 1048 posttraining records among patients initiating ART and from 1063 pretraining and 1008 posttraining among patients initiating TB treatment. Documentation of a 6-month viral load test was 36.3%, and a TB test at end of intensive phase was 70.7%, and neither increased after training. Among patients with a viral load test, the percentage with viral load less than 50 copies/mL increased from 48.6% pretraining compared with 64.2% posttraining (P = .001). Integration of TB and HIV care such as isoniazid preventive therapy increased significantly.ConclusionsThe primary outcome measures did not change after training. However, the evaluation documented many other improvements in TB and HIV care that may have been supported by the course.

Background: Increasingly lower- and middle-income countries have moved towards the adoption of National Health Insurance (NHI) models as a means to support sustainable financing for Universal Health Care. National Health Insurance in the form of government-led, publicly supported and/or centrally managed insurance programs in various forms have been introduced in countries such as Brazil, Cambodia, China, Rwanda, Mexico, South Africa, and Thailand and have demonstrated important successes. The impact of these insurance programs on the use of tuberculosis (TB) services and outcomes is unclear. Objectives: This assessment examines how TB is included (or neglected) in the service delivery package in NHI programs and how effectively NHI programs interact with National TB Programs (NTP) and other TB control stakeholders to plan, implement, and measure TB service use. This assessment aims to analyze the extent to which several NHI programs currently in place or in development in high-burden TB countries have integrated TB services. It synthesizes the findings of assessments in four countries - Thailand, Peru, Philippines, and India - which have adopted publicly supported health insurance programs. Results: The four case studies demonstrate that the integration of TB services with national health insurance can have a positive effect on access to services and their quality. On the other hand, each of the models assessed impose different types of restrictions which can limit the utilization of services. Some restrictions are planned and are part of the design of the insurance model. Others, however, are indirect or unintended consequences of implementation. As it relates to TB, the findings of the assessment have highlighted the need to carefully examine the impact of restrictions in terms of access and use of TB services. In Thailand, the case study found that long wait times at facilities discouraged patients from obtaining services through national health insurance. In the Philippines, the case study found that many patients perceive that they will have to pay direct and indirect costs for TB services in the public sector and prefer instead to seek treatment in the private sector, including pharmacies, to reduce costs. The primary goal of publicly-supported health insurance programs is to improve access to care for a vulnerable segment of the population and, especially as it relates to TB, have the potential to play an important role in improving public health. However, specific objectives for health insurance programs are not typically defined in terms of disease objectives. In countries with significant burdens of key diseases like TB which threaten to jeopardize overall population health (as well as long term growth and development), specific considerations should be made to ensure that the NHI program is designed to be a driving force for controlling the epidemic. The decision to develop and adopt a publicly-supported insurance model should ideally form part of broader health systems reform efforts, and the design of the insurance model should, therefore, include features geared at reinforcing and advancing the country’s health systems strengthening objectives. An issue facing each country, in different degrees, is the separation between the functions of the NTP and the insurance planning and implementation agency. The addition of an insurance program, and possibly other agencies with financing or regulatory functions, adds another level of complexity in terms of planning, organizing, and delivering health services. Conclusion: A key overarching conclusion from the assessment is that strong coordination is needed between health policymakers and program managers to carefully design models for integration of TB services under national health insurance. Careful planning is needed to ensure that all parties understand their roles and responsibilities within the systems and that health providers are motivated to provide high-quality TB services, and patients have incentives to utilize the services.

sBackgroundAs part of the WHO End TB strategy, national tuberculosis (TB) programs increasingly aim to engage all private and public TB care providers. Engagement of communities, civil society organizations and public and private care provider is the second pillar of the End TB strategy. In Myanmar, this entails the public-public and public-private mix (PPM) approach. The public-public mix refers to public hospital TB services, with reporting to the national TB program (NTP). The public-private mix refers to private general practitioners providing TB services including TB diagnosis, treatment and reporting to NTP. The aim of this study was to assess whether PPM activities can be scaled-up nationally and can be sustained over time.MethodsUsing 2007–2014 aggregated program data, we collected information from NTP and non-NTP actors on 1) the number of TB cases detected and their relative contribution to the national case load; 2) the type of TB cases detected; 3) their treatment outcomes.ResultsThe total number of TB cases detected per year nationally increased from 133,547 in 2007 to 142,587 in 2014. The contribution of private practitioners increased from 11% in 2007 to 18% in 2014, and from 1.8% to 4.6% for public hospitals. The NTP contribution decreased from 87% in 2007 to 77% in 2014. A similar pattern was seen in the number of new smear (+) TB cases (31% of all TB cases) and retreatment cases, which represented 7.8% of all TB cases. For new smear (+) TB cases, adverse outcomes were more common in public hospitals, with more patients dying, lost to follow up or not having their treatment outcome evaluated. Patients treated by private practitioners were more frequently lost to follow up (8%). Adverse treatment outcomes in retreatment cases were particularly common (59%) in public hospitals for various reasons, predominantly due to patients dying (26%) or not being evaluated (10%). In private clinics, treatment failure tended to be more common (8%).ConclusionsThe contribution of non-NTP actors to TB detection at the national level increased over time, with the largest contribution by private practitioners involved in PPM. Treatment outcomes were fair. Our findings confirm the role of PPM in national TB programs. To achieve the End TB targets, further expansion of PPM to engage all public and private medical facilities should be targeted.

Persons coinfected with tuberculosis (TB) and HIV are at high risk of death, in part due to suboptimal utilization of HIV-specific health care. We sought to better understand HIV-associated health care utilization and mortality in a retrospective cohort of TB/HIV coinfected cases reported in North Carolina 1993-2003. In this cohort, HIV was newly diagnosed during TB presentation for 34.2% of coinfected patients. Patients had advanced HIV (median CD4 104 cells/mm(3)) at TB diagnosis. Of 260 patients previously known to be HIV positive, 32.3% had seen a physician for HIV care in the previous 6 months and only 18.5% were taking antiretrovirals when TB was diagnosed; 34.8% of patients started antiretrovirals during TB treatment. Twenty-seven (5%) patients died prior to starting TB treatment; of those who survived, 13.6% (70/515) died prior to completing TB treatment, and 42.7% (220/515) died during a median 1408 days of follow-up. CD4 count (relative risk [RR] 0.53 per 100 cell increase, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34, 1.02) and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) use during TB therapy (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.13, 1.02) were independently associated with decreased mortality, while age greater than 45 (RR 2.18, 95% CI 1.11, 4.29) was independently associated with increased mortality during TB treatment. We conclude that TB/HIV coinfected patients had low utilization rates of HIV-specific care prior to TB diagnosis. Many did not receive potentially lifesaving HIV treatment while on TB therapy, and mortality was high as a result. Interventions to enhance utilization of HIV-related health care and integration of TB and HIV services should be studied to improve outcomes.

COVID-19 & the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme of India.

To inform policy-making, we measured the risk, causes and consequences of catastrophic expenditures for tuberculosis and investigated potential inequities. Between August 2008 and February 2009, a cross-sectional study was conducted among all (245) smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients of six health districts from southern Benin. A standardised survey questionnaire covered the period of time elapsing from onset of tuberculosis symptoms to completion of treatment. Total direct cost exceeding the conventional 10% threshold of annual income was defined as catastrophic and used as principal outcome in a multivariable logistic regression. A sensitivity analysis was performed while varying the thresholds. A pure gradient of direct costs of tuberculosis in relation to income was observed. Incidence (78.1%) and intensity (14.8%) of catastrophic expenditure were high; varying thresholds was insensitive to the intensity. Incurring catastrophic expenditure was independently associated with lower- and middle-income quintiles (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) = 36.2, 95% CI [12.3-106.3] and aOR = 6.4 [2.8-14.6]), adverse pre-diagnosis stage (aOR = 5.4 [2.2-13.3]) and less education (aOR = 4.1[1.9-8.7]). Households incurred important days lost due to TB, indebtedness (37.1%), dissaving (51.0%) and other coping strategies (52.7%). Catastrophic direct costs and substantial indirect and coping costs may persist under the 'free' tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment strategy, as well as inequities in financial hardship.

Lung health in Africa: challenges and opportunities in the context of COVID-19.

The World Health Organization recommends that treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in HIV-infected patients should be integrated with HIV care. In December 2008, a separate outdoor-integrated TB/HIV clinic was instituted for attendees of a large urban HIV clinic in Uganda. We sought to evaluate associated TB and HIV treatment outcomes. Routinely collected clinical, pharmacy, and laboratory data were merged with TB clinic data for patients initiating TB treatment in 2009 and with TB register data for patients in 2007. TB treatment outcomes and (timing of) antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in ART-naive patients [overall and stratified by CD4+ T cell (CD4) count] in 2007 and 2009 were compared. Nosocomial transmission rates could not be assessed. Three hundred forty-six patients were initiated on TB treatment in 2007 and 366 in 2009. Median CD4 counts at TB diagnosis did not differ. TB treatment cure or completion increased from 62% to 68%, death or default decreased from 33% to 25% (P < 0.001). Fewer ART-naive TB patients were initiated on ART in 2009 versus 2007 (57% and 66%, P = 0.031), but this decrease was only in patients with CD4 counts >250 cells per cubic millimeter (19% vs. 48%, P = 0.003). More patients were started on ART during TB treatment (94% vs. 78%, P < 0.001). Moreover, the majority were now initiated during intensive phase (60% vs. 23%, P < 0.001). Integration of TB and HIV care has led to improved TB treatment outcomes and earlier, prioritized ART initiation. This supports rollout of a fully integrated TB/HIV service delivery model throughout high-prevalence TB and HIV settings.

One-third of the world’s burden of tuberculosis (TB), or about 4.9 million prevalent cases, is found in the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region (http://www.who.int/about/regions/searo).The disease, which is most common among people in their productive years,1 has a huge economic impact. For instance, in 2006, TB caused India to lose an estimated 23.7 billion United States dollars.2 In a region where one-fourth of the world’s poorest live,3 TB can lead to catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure4 and cause patients to lose an average of 3 to 4 months’ wages due to illness-related absence from work.5

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a global public health problem. People with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to TB. It is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide and is a leading cause of death for people living with HIV (PLWH). The aim of the current study was to perform programmatic data analysis of TB cases treated with the first-line drugs, registered in Armenia for the period of January 2017 - August 2018, and to identify gaps in TB care system in Armenia. A retrospective cohort study using programmatic data from National TB Program. Overall treatment success rate for the period of study was 79%. HIV had impact only on "died" outcome with odds ratio (OR) of 20.9. More than a third (34%) of all HIV-positive patients died during TB treatment and 45% of patients who had non-Armenian citizenship were lost to follow-up during the treatment (OR = 3.3). Treatment duration for the 8% of all cases (mainly with brain or bone localization) was > 9 months and lasted up to 500 days. Better collaboration and partial integration of TB and HIV services in Armenia is required. The access to care for non-Armenian citizens needs to be improved. The national TB treatment guideline needs to be updated based on scientific evidence. This study demonstrates that continuous analysis of the available data and tailoring of the system is required to address the needs of key populations and achieve universal care coverage.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in the world, resulting in relatively high incidences of both mortality and morbidity. TB is curable, yet treatment requires strictly administered long-term intermittent therapy. Eliminating the disease has been a great challenge, despite many years of international efforts (Gabriel 2011). Some of the reasons for this include increasing populations; poverty; poor availability of health care; increasing multidrug resistance as a consequence of treatment failure or poor compliance; emerging HIV coinfection; and delays in diagnosis (Gabriel 2011; Ayisi et al. 2011). In many countries, National Tuberculosis Programs (NTPs) are increasingly turning to other health service providers, including the communities in which patients live, to improve the delivery of effective TB care. Efforts to encourage community contribution for effective TB control have been made, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the HIV/AIDS epidemic has seriously exacerbated the TB situation (Maher 2003). In 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO)-coordinated project i§Community TB Care in Africai¨ was introduced in Sub-Saharan Africa; this project evaluated the community contribution to effective TB control, as part of NTP activities, in eight district-based projects in six high-HIV prevalent countries (Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia) (WHO 2000). As a result, countries like Kenya introduced Community-Based TB (CB-TB) programs.

The burden of stroke is alarmingly high in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), characterized by increasing trends in stroke incidence, prevalence, and mortality. This review details the landscape of stroke care in SSA, encompassing epidemiology, risk factors, care availability, and challenges in advancing stroke care, along with a proposed strategic framework for improvement. Epidemiological studies in SSA indicate a rising trend in stroke incidence and prevalence, with significant variability attributable to differences in study methodologies. Crude incidence rates have risen from an average of 53 (range: 26 &amp;ndash; 101) cases/100,000 population between 1973 and 1991 to 88 (range: 25 &amp;ndash; 149) cases/100,000 population between 2003 and 2011. Similarly, prevalence rates have shown an upward trend. Stroke mortality in SSA remains high, with variability across studies. Key predictors of mortality include hemorrhagic stroke, gender, National Institute of Stroke Scale score at presentation, and comorbidities such as anemia and human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, the interpretation of mortality rates warrants caution due to methodological limitations. Both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors significantly contribute to stroke risk in SSA. Notably, stroke occurs at a younger age in SSA compared to Western countries. Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and lifestyle factors are among the major modifiable risk factors. The availability of organized stroke care varies significantly across SSA, with more advanced care typically found in higher-level health-care centers. However, efforts to improve access and quality of care are ongoing. The challenges in advancing stroke care in SSA include cultural beliefs, limited access to care, and prohibitive costs. A &amp;ldquo;5 Ps&amp;rdquo; framework involving collaboration among policymakers, payers, partners in health care, providers, and patients is proposed to improve stroke care. This review underscores the urgent need for enhanced public health strategies, medical interventions, and collaborative efforts to address the escalating stroke burden in SSA.

To determine the treatment success rate among TB patients and associated factors in Anambra and Oyo, the two states with the largest burden of tuberculosis in Nigeria. A health facility record review for 2016 was conducted in the two states (Anambra and Oyo). A checklist was used to extract relevant information from the records kept in each of the selected DOTS facilities to determine TB treatment success rates. Treatment success rate was defined as the proportion of new smear-positive TB cases registered under DOTS in a given year that successfully completed treatment, whether with bacteriologic evidence of success ('cured') or without ('treatment completed'). Treatment success rate was classified into good (≥85%) and poor (<85%) success rates using the 85% national target for TB treatment outcome. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square at P<0.05. There were 1281TB treatment enrollees in 2016 in Anambra and 3809 in Oyo (total=4835). An overall treatment success rate of 75.8% was achieved (Anambra-57.5%; Oyo-82.0%). The percentage cure rates were 61.5% for Anambra and 85.2% for Oyo. Overall, only 28.6% of the facilities in both states (Anambra-0.0%; Oyo-60.0%) had a good treatment success rate. More facilities in Anambra (100.0%) than Oyo (40.0%) had a poor treatment success rate (p<0.001), as did more private/FBO (100.0%) than public health facilities (60.0%) (p=0.009). All tertiary facilities had a poor treatment success rate followed by 87.5% of secondary health facilities and 56.5% of primary healthcare facilities (P=0.035). Treatment success and cure rates in Anambra state were below the 85.0% of the recommended target set by the WHO. Geographical location, and level/tier and type of facility were factors associated with this. Interventions are recommended to address these problems.