National Tuberculosis Programme Research Articles

Who found it easy to avail nutritional support through direct benefit transfer under national TB elimination programme in Eastern India: an early evidence from Jharkhand

Background: National TB Programme of India launched Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in April 2018, to provide financial support for additional nutritional requirement during TB treatment. This study aims to understand the enabling attributes in availing Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) among notified TB patients from the Indian state of Jharkhand for the year 2019. Methods: This is a retrospective cross sectional descriptive study using secondary data obtained from Nikshay web portal for the Indian state of Jharkhand in the year 2019. State level data on TB Notification and NPY DBT scheme is downloaded from the Nikshay portal in excel format and analysed using Excel 2016 version. Odds Ratio and P value are calculated and analysed to prove any statistically significant associations. Results: The study found higher odds (1.08, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.14; P value 0.004) of having patients who belong to 15 to 65 years, female sex (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.09; P value 0.018), seeking care in public sector (odds ratio 4.05, 95% CI: 3.83, 4.27; P value <0.00001) and with drug sensitive TB (DS TB) (odds ratio 1.39, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.59; P value <0.00001), among those who received at least one instalment of DBT. Conclusions: TB patients belonging to productive age group, female sex, seeking care in public sector and with DS TB have higher odds of receiving NPY among the study population.

Impact of Nikshay Poshan Yojana on tuberculosis outcomes: preliminary evidence from eastern India

Background: National TB programme of India implemented Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) through direct benefit transfer (DBT) in April 2018. This is to address the dual evils of under nutrition and unfavourable outcomes among tuberculosis patients in the country. This study aimed to understand the impact of Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) through direct benefit transfer (DBT) on the outcomes of notified TB patients from the Indian state of Jharkhand for the year 2019. Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional descriptive study using secondary data obtained from Nikshay web portal for the Indian state of Jharkhand for the year 2019. State level data on TB notification and NPY DBT scheme was downloaded in excel format and analysed using Excel 2016 version. Results: The study found higher odds (odds ratio 3.14, 95% CI: 2.97, 3.33; p value <0.00001) of having successful outcomes, among those who received at least one instalment of NPY. The risk of lost to follow up (LTFU) was 2.44 times (95% CI: 2.2-2.8, p value: 3.9×10-43) higher among those who did not receive any DBT payments as compared to those who received at least one DBT instalment. Conclusions: The ‘individual and health system enablers’ have a crucial role to play in successful TB treatment outcomes than NPY. However, LTFU rate reduces significantly with timely payment of NPY. This would facilitate improved treatment adherence and thus a favourable outcome.

A comparative analysis of two national tuberculosis reporting systems and their impact on tuberculosis case notification in Uganda.

Before 2018, the use of parallel tuberculosis (TB) reporting systems was resource intensive with duplication of efforts and hence the need to select one that contributed to better TB case notification at the National TB and Leprosy Program (NLTP) in Uganda. We sought to analyse the difference in reporting rates between the two systems in order to improve NTLP TB case notification rates, logistics management, and planning for better health service delivery initiatives. We conducted a comparative study to assess TB case notification between the web-based DHIS2 and the district TB supervisor-led health management information system between January 2016 to December 2017. We used Poisson regression analysis to assess the statistical differences in reporting rates between the two reporting systems. The association between TB case notification and the type of reporting system was statistically significant (Prob > chi2 = 0.0000). The Incident Rate Ratio (IRR) for the web-enabled DHIS2 system versus the district TB supervisor-led health management information system was 1.106625. The web-based integrated DHIS2 system was more effective in reporting missing TB cases. It presents an opportunity for better planning and allocation of resources for improved service delivery in a low-income setting.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of adding tuberculosis household contact investigation on passive case-finding strategy in Southwestern Uganda.

The standard passive case-finding strategy implemented by most developing countries is inadequate to detect new cases of Tuberculosis. A household contact investigation is an alternative approach. However, there is limited cost-effectiveness data to support planning and implementation in low and middle-income countries. The study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adding household contact investigation (HCI) to the passive case-finding (PCF) strategy in the Tuberculosis control program in Southwestern Uganda. We conducted an economic evaluation using a retrospective study approach and bottom-up costing (ingredients) techniques. It was a synthesis-based evaluation of existing data extracted from the District Health Information System (DHIS 2), TB registers, and a primary cost survey. The study compared two methods of Tuberculosis (TB) case finding (PCF and HCI) strategies. Regarding PCF, patients either self-reported their signs and symptoms or were prompted by healthcare workers. At the same time, HCI was done by home visiting and screening contacts of TB patients. Patients and household contacts presumed to have Tuberculosis were requested to produce samples for analysis. We applied a static decision-analytic modeling framework to examine both strategies' costs and effectiveness. The study relied on cost and probability estimates from National Tuberculosis (TB) program data, activity costs, and published literature. It was performed from the societal and provider perspectives over 1.5 years across 12 facilities in Ntungamo, Sheema, and Rwampara Districts. The primary effectiveness measure was the number of TB cases detected (yield) and the number needed to screen (NNS). The TB yield was calculated from the number of patients screened during the period under study. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was expressed as cost in 2021 US$ per additional TB case detected. We did not apply a discount rate because of the short analytic time horizon. The unit costs of detecting a Tuberculosis case were US$ (United States dollar) 204.22 for PCF and US$ 315.07 for HCI. Patient and caregiver costs are five times more in PCF than in HCI [US$26.37 Vs. US$ 5.42]. The ICER was US$ 3,596.94 per additional TB case detected. The TB screening yields were 0.52% (1496/289140) for passive case finding and 5.8% (197/3414) for household contact investigation. Household contact investigation yield among children 0-14 Vs. 15+ years [6.2% Vs.5.4%] P = 0.04. The Yield among People living with HIV (PLHIV) Vs. HIV-negative [15.8% Vs.5.3%] P = 0.03 in HHCI. The PCF yield in men Vs. Women [1.12% Vs.0.28%] P<0.01. The NNS in PCF was 193 [95% CI: 186-294] and 17 [95% CI: 14-22] in HCI. Our baseline assumptions and the specific implementations of adding HCI to existing PCF programs in the context of rural African settings prove to be not cost-effective, rather than HCI as a strategy. HCI effectively identifies children and PLHIV with TB and should be prioritized. Meanwhile, the Passive case-finding strategy effectively finds men with TB and costs lower than household contact investigation.

Outcome and determinants of Directly Observed Short-course treatment for tuberculosis patients

Background: The Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) is a well-established and cost-effective strategy for treating Tuberculosis. It efficiently transforms infectious cases into non infectious ones, effectively interrupting the transmission cycle of the disease. Objectives: Measure the treatment outcomes in TB patients during 2016-2020, describe the socio-demographic and clinical profile of TB patients and evaluate the performance of the National TB program in Babil governorate based on WHO indicators. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done. All TB patients in the NTP Center of Babil governorate under the DOTS program from 2016 to 2020 were included. A form was developed to compile socio-demographic data, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes. Results: A total number of cases was 1723. The mean age was 40.0 (± 21.0) years. The female constituted 53.8% of cases. The patients aged ≥ 65 years had the highest percentage of total cases 279 (16.2%). Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) constituted 56.1% of the cases 50.5% of them had smear-positive. The most common site for extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) was lymph nodes 41.1%. Treatment success was attained in 93.7%, while 3.3% of patients dead. The patients aged ≥ 65 years have the lowest success rate and highest treatment unsuccess rate opposite to young age groups (p 0.002). Conclusion: The treatment outcome target planned by WHO was achieved. The case detection rate of all form was low. The age and the site of TB significantly affected the outcome of treatment.

Participation of private providers in the National TB Programme in South India

SETTING: India has the highest number of new TB cases worldwide. The participation of private providers (PPs) in the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) has remained suboptimal.OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences, barriers and facilitators about their participation in the NTEP as perceived by PPs working in varied settings.DESIGN: Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were used to engage PPs to obtain their views on participation in the NTEP. Framework and thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data.RESULTS: Non-availability of a comprehensive range of diagnostics and lack of flexibility in the NTEP were barriers to participation in NTEP. PPs were predisposed to think that NTEP was for those who could not afford to purchase medications. Attitudes and previous experiences with NTEP made them sceptical about the NTEP regimen. Although more frequent interactions were sought with NTEP, some bitterness about previous interactions was perceived.CONCLUSION: Challenges identified by PPs for the NTEP include improvement of the quality of TB care, especially at the lower levels of care, availability of a comprehensive range of diagnostics, being friendly to PPs and patients, more frequent interactions with PPs, and more caring conversations with patients at NTEP centres.

Nurses Monitor Medication with a Schedule for Undrop-Out Program (SRAGAM) for TBC Clients

Regulation Minister of Health Republic Indonesia Number 15 of 2022 through 6 pillars of health transformation, one of which is primary service, namely medication adherence education. Ministry of Health Republic Indonesia, (2020) the 2020-2024 RPJMN policy directions and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding six diseases, one is Tuberculosis (TBC). TBC prevalence in Southeast Asia (44%), Indonesia (8.5%), Lampung (40.2%), and South Lampung (41%). Indonesia's strategy to reduce the incidence of TBC has six plans: the 2020-2024 national tuberculosis program, optimizing promotion and prevention efforts, providing tuberculosis prevention treatment, and controlling. TBC treatment 6-24 months resulted in drop-out treatment. Nurses play a supervisory role and carry out counseling to increase patient adherence. The Schedule For Undrop-Out Program (SRAGAM) is a media innovation to improve patient medication adherence. SRAGAM makes it easier for patients, PMOs, and health workers to arrange medication-taking schedules. The purpose is to determine the effect of SRAGAM on increasing patient adherence. Research is a quantitative one-group pretest-posttest with a control group preexperimental design. Respondents were patients who were taking drugs. The number of samples was 32 respondents (16 intervention:16 control). The research was from December 2022 to May 2023 in Hajimena Health Center, South Lampung. Data analysis using t-test. The results of the study mean value intervention group (5.6875) and control group (4.1250). The P-value of 0.000 concluded that SRAGAM effectively increased the number of patients taking medication. The results will become educational media in preventing the incidence of dropping medication in patients.

Implementation of national whole-genome sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, National Public Health Laboratory, Singapore, 2019-2022.

The National Tuberculosis Programme (NTBP) monitors the occurrence and spread of tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in Singapore. Since 2020, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates has been performed at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) for genomic surveillance, replacing spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeats analysis (MIRU-VNTR). Four thousand three hundred and seven samples were sequenced from 2014 to January 2023, initially as research projects and later developed into a comprehensive public health surveillance programme. Currently, all newly diagnosed culture-positive cases of TB in Singapore are prospectively sent for WGS, which is used to perform lineage classification, predict drug resistance profiles and infer genetic relationships between TB isolates. This paper describes NPHL's operational and technical experiences with implementing the WGS service in an urban TB-endemic setting, focusing on cluster detection and genomic drug susceptibility testing (DST). Cluster detection: WGS has been used to guide contact tracing by detecting clusters and discovering unknown transmission networks. Examples have been clusters in a daycare centre, housing apartment blocks and a horse-racing betting centre. Genomic DST: genomic DST prediction (gDST) identifies mutations in core genes known to be associated with TB drug resistance catalogued in the TBProfiler drug resistance mutation database. Mutations are reported with confidence scores according to a standardized approach referencing NPHL's internal gDST confidence database, which is adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) TB drug mutation catalogue. Phenotypic-genomic concordance was observed for the first-line drugs ranging from 2959/2998 (98.7 %) (ethambutol) to 2983/2996 (99.6 %) (rifampicin). Aspects of internal database management, reporting standards and caveats in results interpretation are discussed.

Detection and management of tuberculosis in Tunisia: challenges and outcomes

Abstract Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Tunisia, where TB remains endemic, the national control program ensures free vaccination, free outpatient TB treatment in addition to early detection of cases and directly observed treatment short course. However, available data on these activities and outcomes are limited. The objective of this study was to describe the evolution of TB detection and management indicators and outcomes from 2018 to 2021. Methods We analyzed data collected part of the epidemiological investigations of notified cases and active search for cases over a period of 4 years (2018-2021). In each governorate, dedicated teams collect samples from cases’ contacts for microscopic sputum examination for screening and ensure patients’ follow-up. All data related to contact tracing, treatment and outcomes were collected, entered and analyzed using SPSS-21. Results The number of screened cases decreased from 30337 in 2018 to 16045 in 2021. The number of investigations of reported cases also decreased; from 2408 in 2018 to 1295 in 2021 (proportion of 74.6% to 48.9% respectively). However, the percentage of positives increased from 1.4% to 2.1%. In 2021, therapeutic success was recorded among 81% of cases (compared to 86% in 2018). From 2018 to 2021, there was an increase in three indicators: fatality rate (1.55 to 2.53%), discontinuation of treatment (from 2.5% to 3.2%) and the proportion of multidrug-resistant TB cases (0.45 to 0.69%). Conclusions Despite free care and treatment, our study showed challenges in the prevention and management of TB. Several activities of the national tuberculosis program have decreased, probably due to the pandemic, as noted in general preventive and care activities worldwide. More education and awareness efforts should be made, not only for patients and their contacts, but also for health care professionals, to be more vigilant in early case detection and continued treatment. Key messages • Several activities of the national tuberculosis program have decreased from 2018 to 2021, probably due to the pandemic. • From 2018 to 2021, there was an increase in the fatality rate, discontinuation of treatment and multidrug-resistant TB cases.

More Than a Decade of GeneXpert®Mycobacterium tuberculosis/Rifampicin (Ultra) Testing in South Africa: Laboratory Insights from Twenty-Three Million Tests.

This study seeks to describe the rollout and current state of South Africa's GeneXpert molecular diagnostic program for tuberculosis (TB). Xpert MTB/RIF was introduced in 2011 with a subsequent expansion to include extra-pulmonary and paediatric testing, followed by Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra in 2017. Through a centralised laboratory information system and the use of a standardised platform for more than a decade, over 23 million tests were analysed, describing the numbers tested, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex detection, rifampin resistance, and the unsuccessful test rates. The stratification by province, specimen type, age, and sex identified significant heterogeneity across the program and highlighted testing gaps for men, low detection yield for paediatric pulmonary TB, and the effects of inadequate specimen quality on the detection rate. The insights gained from these data can aid in the monitoring of interventions in support of the national TB program beyond laboratory operational aspects.

TB programme stakeholder views on lessons from the COVID-19 response in South Africa.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has reversed many of the hard-won gains made in TB programmes and the associated reduction in the number of TB deaths, case notifications and incidence over the last three decades. Modelling estimates show that the impact will be lasting. There are global calls to recover the shortfalls along the TB care cascade that have resulted from COVID-19, with the recognition that the COVID-19 response holds lessons to inform more robust and comprehensive TB programmes and services. To explore lessons from response measures to the COVID-19 pandemic in two high TB burden South African provinces. This was an exploratory qualitative study. We conducted interviews with TB programme stakeholders (managers and facility-level staff: n = 35) between February and June 2022. We identified eight facilitators of the COVID-19 response, including political will, rapid policy development, multi-sectoral collaboration, patient-centred models of care delivery, community engagement, mHealth and telehealth technologies, rigorous contact tracing and widespread mask wearing. Political will was singled out as a critical driver of the response. Leveraging COVID-19 inspired collaborations, technologies and avenues for health service delivery is an opportunity to maximise benefits for the TB programme. Reinvestment in national TB programmes and political prioritisation of TB are critical.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis control in Indonesia: a nationwide longitudinal analysis of programme data

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis control in high-burden countries has not been adequately assessed. We aimed to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national tuberculosis programme in Indonesia, in association with indicators of human development and health-system capacity across all 514 districts in 34 provinces. We did a nationwide longitudinal analysis to compare tuberculosis case notification, treatment coverage, and mortality rates in Indonesia before (2016-19) and during (2020-21) the COVID-19 pandemic. The following outcomes were assessed: the district-level quarterly reported tuberculosis case notification rate (number of all reported tuberculosis cases per 100 000 population), treatment coverage (proportion of tuberculosis patients who started treatment), and all-cause mortality rate in patients with tuberculosis (number of reported deaths per 100 000 population). District-level data on COVID-19 incidence and deaths, health-system capacity, and human development and sociodemographics were also analysed. Multilevel linear spline regression was done to assess quarterly time trends for the three outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the tuberculosis case notification rate declined by 26% (case notification rate ratio 0·74, 95% CI 0·72-0·77) and treatment coverage declined by 11% (treatment coverage ratio 0·89, 95% CI 0·88-0·90), but there was no significant increase in all-cause mortality (all-cause mortality rate ratio 0·97, 95% CI 0·91-1·04) compared with the pre-pandemic period. In the second year of the pandemic, we observed a partial recovery of the case notification rate from Q1 to Q4 of 2021, a persistent decrease in treatment coverage, and a decrease in the all-cause mortality rate from Q2 of 2020 to Q4 of 2021. The multivariable analysis showed that the reduction in the tuberculosis case notification rate was associated with a higher COVID-19 incidence rate (adjusted odds ratio 3·1, 95% CI 1·1-8·6, for the highest compared with the lowest group) and fewer GeneXpert machines for tuberculosis diagnosis (3·1, 1·0-9·4, for the lowest compared with the highest group) per 100 000 population. The reduction in tuberculosis treatment coverage was associated with higher COVID-19 incidence (adjusted odds ratio 11·7, 95% CI 1·5-93·4, for the highest compared with the lowest group), fewer primary health centres (10·6, 4·1-28·0, for the lowest compared with the middle-high group), and a very low number of doctors (0·3, 0·1-0·9, for the low-middle compared with the lowest group) per 100 000 population. No factors were shown to be significantly associated with all-cause mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely and unevenly affected the national tuberculosis programme across Indonesia, with the greatest impacts observed in districts with the lowest health-system capacity. These disruptions could lead to an escalation in tuberculosis transmission in the coming years, warranting the need for intensified efforts to control tuberculosis and strengthen local health systems. Wellcome Africa Asia Programme Vietnam. For the Bahasa translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Delays in Treatment Initiation and Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Tuberculosis in the Kyrgyz Republic: Are There Differences between Migrants and Non-Migrants?

Migrants are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) and have poor treatment outcomes. The National TB program (NTP) of the Kyrgyz Republic recognizes two types of migrants: internal (intra-country) and external (inter-country) migrants. This cohort study compared the characteristics, timeliness of diagnosis and treatment initiation, and treatment outcomes of TB patients (internal migrant vs. external migrant vs. non-migrant) identified during treatment in the country in 2021. The TB treatment register and treatment cards of 5114 patients (156 internal, 430 external, and 4528 non-migrants) were reviewed. Risk factors (unemployment, smoking, alcohol use, and homelessness) were higher (p-value < 0.001) in internal (84%) than in external migrants (66%) and non-migrants (43%). The median delay in seeking care post-symptom onset was longer (p-value= 0.03) in external (30 days) than in internal migrants (21 days) and non-migrants (25 days). Successful treatment outcomes for drug-sensitive TB were higher in internal (89%, p-value = 0.012) and external migrants (86%, p-value = 0.001) than in non-migrants (78%). Internal and external migrants should be separately considered with respect to TB care and monitoring under the NTP. Success rates seem to be high in migrants, but our findings may be biased, as migrants with poor healthcare access may remain undetected and untreated and have undocumented poor outcomes.

Prevalence of tuberculosis and associated factors among presumptive TB refugees residing in refugee camps in Ethiopia

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) causes significant morbidity and mortality in refugee populations. Although Ethiopia is the third largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, there is limited published data on the prevalence and associated factors of TB in refugees. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB (PTB) and explore associated factors in presumptive TB refugees residing in refugee camps in Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February and August 2021 in refugee camps in Ethiopia. Data were collected consecutively from 610 presumptive TB refugees who attended for TB diagnosis in selected refugee camp clinics in Ethiopia. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data, and sputum samples were collected from eligible study participants. The Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)/Rifampicin (RIF) assay was performed on direct spot sputum samples, whereas morning sputum samples were processed and inoculated for bacteriological culture using Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) and Lowsteen Jensen (LJ) methods. The statistical software package (STATA version 14) was used for statistical analysis. A logistic regression model was used for the evaluation of the association between bacteriologically confirmed TB cases and the associated factors. Descriptive statistics were used for the expression of the results, and statistical significance was assumed at p < 0.05.ResultsOut of 610 study participants, more than half were female (54.9%), and the mean age was 37.9 years (SD, 16.64). The prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed PTB cases among refugees residing in refugee camps in Ethiopia was 13.3% (95% CI, 10.7–16.2%) using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay and/or culture. MTB was detected in 12.8% (95% CI, 10.2–15.7%) of the individuals using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay, while culture positivity was observed in 11.6% (95% CI, 9.2–14.5%). The multivariable logistic regression model showed South Sudan origins (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 7.74; 95% CI, 3.05–19.64), age group, 19–38 years old (AOR = 5.66; 95% CI, 1.86–17.28), and male sex (AOR = 2.69; 95% CI, 1.58–4.56) were significantly associated with the bacteriologically confirmed TB among refugees residing in refugee camps in Ethiopia.ConclusionThe prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed PTB among presumptive TB refugees residing in refugee camps in Ethiopia was high. The national TB program should strengthen TB prevention and control activities in the refugee camps of Ethiopia. Moreover, an active TB survey program should be implemented in refugee camps in Ethiopia.

Comparing Additionality of Tuberculosis Cases Using GeneXpert or Smear-Based Active TB Case-Finding Strategies among Social Contacts of Index Cases in Nepal.

This study compares the yield and additionality of community-based active tuberculosis (TB) active case-finding strategies using either smear microscopy or GeneXpert as the TB diagnostic test. Active case-finding strategies screened social contacts of index cases and high-risk groups in four districts of Nepal in July 2017-2019. Two districts (Chitwan and Dhanusha) applied GeneXpert testing and two districts (Makwanpur and Mahotarri) used smear microscopy. Two control districts implemented standard national TB program activities. Districts implementing GeneXpert testing screened 23,657 people for TB, tested 17,114 and diagnosed 764 TB cases, producing a yield of 4.5%. Districts implementing smear microscopy screened 19,961 people for TB, tested 13,285 and diagnosed 437 cases, producing a yield of 3.3%. The screening numbers required were 31 for GeneXpert and 45.7 for smear districts. The test numbers required were 22.4 and 30.4 for GeneXpert and smear. Using the TB REACH additionality method, social contact tracing for TB through GeneXpert testing contributed to a 20% (3958/3322) increase in district-level TB notifications, smear microscopy 12.4% (3146/2798), and -0.5% (2553/2566) for control districts. Therefore, social contact tracing of TB index cases using GeneXpert testing should be implemented throughout Nepal within the TB FREE initiative to close the notification gap and accelerate progress toward END TB strategy targets.

An Investigation into Implications of Tuberculosis Control Efforts in Pakistan: A Comparative Approach

Objective: To investigate the difference of Tuberculosis (TB) related information in diagnosed TB patients and healthy individuals in relation to the implications of National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) control efforts. Study Design and Setting: This comparative case-control study was conducted from May to December 2022 in public sector tertiary care setups of Karachi. Methodology: In this case control study, 100 hospitalized diagnosed patients of TB were compared with 155 healthy individuals from May to December 2022. We analyzed sociodemographic characteristics of both groups related to the information for transmission and prevention of TB, as a basic element for the disease control. Result: TB patients were more likely to be uneducated, have low household income and positive family history of TB as compared to non-TB (OR 0.52, 0.30, 0.40). 18% of TB patients believed that TB infected person cannot be a source of spread to cause TB disease (OR=4.7; P=0.006). There was a statistically significant association among both the groups deemed to malnutrition and multiple households as the risk factors of tuberculosis (P=0.002 and &lt;0.001 respectively Conclusion: TB related information with respect to its cause, preventive and treatment was insufficient in both study groups leading to delay in TB treatment and increase mortality from the disease. Health education interventional strategies, focused on primitive and advanced TB related information are needed in general population with special attention on low socioeconomic groups of community, and the population living in isolated and remote areas.

Barriers to tuberculosis treatment adherence in high-burden tuberculosis settings in Ashanti region, Ghana: a qualitative study from patient’s perspective

BackgroundDespite having an effective community-based Directly Observed Therapy Short-course (DOTS) strategy for tuberculosis (TB) care, treatment adherence has been a major challenge in many developing countries including Ghana. Poor adherence results in discontinuity of treatment and leads to adverse treatment outcomes which pose an increased risk of drug resistance. This study explored barriers to TB treatment adherence and recommended potential patient-centered strategies to improve treatment adherence in two high-burden TB settings in the Ashanti region of Ghana.MethodsThe study was conducted among TB patients who defaulted on treatment in the Obuasi Municipal and Obuasi East districts in the Ashanti region. A qualitative phenomenology approach was used to explore the barriers to TB treatment adherence. Purposive sampling was adopted to select study participants with different sociodemographic backgrounds and experiences with TB care. Eligible participants were selected by reviewing the medical records of patients from health facility TB registers (2019–2021). Sixty-one (61) TB patients met the eligibility criteria and were contacted via phone call. Out of the 61 patients, 20 were successfully reached and consented to participate. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants using a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were imported into Atlas.ti version 8.4 software and analyzed using thematic content analysis.ResultsFood insecurity, cost of transportation to the treatment center, lack of family support, income insecurity, long distance to the treatment center, insufficient knowledge about TB, side effect of drugs, improvement in health after the intensive phase of the treatment regimen, and difficulty in accessing public transportation were the main co-occurring barriers to treatment adherence among the TB patients.ConclusionThe main barriers to TB treatment adherence identified in this study reveal major implementation gaps in the TB programme including gaps related to social support, food security, income security, knowledge, and proximity to treatment centers. Hence, to improve treatment adherence there is a need for the government and the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) to collaborate with different sectors to provide comprehensive health education, social and financial support as well as food aid to TB patients.

Psychosocial support interventions to improve treatment outcomes for people living with tuberculosis: a mixed methods systematic review and meta-analysis.

People with tuberculosis (TB) face multi-dimensional barriers when accessing and engaging with care. There is evidence that providing psychosocial support within people-centered models of care can improve TB outcomes, however, there is limited consensus on what works. It remains important for such interventions to be rigorously assessed, and mixed methods systematic reviews are one way of synthesising data for policy makers to be able to access such evidence. Mixed methods reviews take a complexity perspective, with qualitative data being used to contextualise the quantitative findings and giving an insight into how interventions are contingent on variations in design and context. Five electronic databases were searched from January 1 2015 to 14 January 2023 for randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental trials, cohort studies and qualitative studies of interventions providing psychosocial support (material and/or psychological-based support) to adults with any clinical form of active TB. Studies with inpatient treatment as the standard of care were excluded. Quantitative studies reporting pre-specified standard TB outcomes were eligible. In line with established mixed methods review methodology, a convergent parallel-results synthesis design was followed: quantitative and qualitative syntheses were distinct and carried out using appropriate methods. A convergent coding matrix was then used to integrate the results. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021235211). Twenty-three studies of interventions were included (12 quantitative, 10 qualitative, and 1 mixed methods study) were included. Most studies were conducted in low-and middle-income countries with a high-burden of TB. Three explanatory and contextual middle-range theories from the integration of qualitative and quantitative data were developed: effective interventions provide multi-dimensional support; psychological-based support is transformative but there is insufficient evidence that it improves treatment outcomes on its own; intervention delivery shapes a logic of care. This review takes a complexity perspective to provide actionable and timely insight to inform the design and implementation of locally-appropriate and people-centered psychosocial support interventions within national TB programmes. There was no funding source for this study.

Implementation, feasibility, and acceptability of 99DOTS-based supervision of treatment for drug-susceptible TB in Uganda.

99DOTS is a low-cost digital adherence technology that allows people with tuberculosis (TB) to self-report treatment adherence. There are limited data on its implementation, feasibility, and acceptability from sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a longitudinal analysis and cross-sectional surveys nested within a stepped-wedge randomized trial at 18 health facilities in Uganda between December 2018 and January 2020. The longitudinal analysis assessed implementation of key components of a 99DOTS-based intervention, including self-reporting of TB medication adherence via toll-free phone calls, automated text message reminders and support actions by health workers monitoring adherence data. Cross-sectional surveys administered to a subset of people with TB and health workers assessed 99DOTS feasibility and acceptability. Composite scores for capability, opportunity, and motivation to use 99DOTS were estimated as mean Likert scale responses. Among 462 people with pulmonary TB enrolled on 99DOTS, median adherence was 58.4% (inter-quartile range [IQR] 38.7-75.6) as confirmed by self-reporting dosing via phone calls and 99.4% (IQR 96.4-100) when also including doses confirmed by health workers. Phone call-confirmed adherence declined over the treatment period and was lower among people with HIV (median 50.6% vs. 63.7%, p<0.001). People with TB received SMS dosing reminders on 90.5% of treatment days. Health worker support actions were documented for 261/409 (63.8%) people with TB who missed >3 consecutive doses. Surveys were completed by 83 people with TB and 22 health workers. Composite scores for capability, opportunity, and motivation were high; among people with TB, composite scores did not differ by gender or HIV status. Barriers to using 99DOTS included technical issues (phone access, charging, and network connection) and concerns regarding disclosure. 99DOTS was feasible to implement and highly acceptable to people with TB and their health workers. National TB Programs should offer 99DOTS as an option for TB treatment supervision.

Health-Seeking Behavior Regarding Coughs in Urban Slums in Lagos, Nigeria.

TB is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, with slum residents being disproportionately affected. This study aimed to assess health-seeking behavior among adult residents of slum communities presenting with coughs in Lagos, Nigeria. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted across six urban slums in Nigeria as part of community outreaches to mark World TB Day. A structured, pretested questionnaire was used to capture relevant sociodemographic details and questions regarding symptoms of coughs and related symptoms as well as care-seeking behavior. Data were explored, analyzed, and presented using descriptive statistics. A total of 632 respondents participated in this study. The majority were 25-34 years old (24.7%), male (65.8%), Christian (55.7%), married (73.7%), with secondary education (37.8%), with 3-4 persons per household (41%) and with 1-2 persons per room (44.5%). In total, 26.6% had had a cough for two weeks or more and were considered as presumptive TB patients. Overall, 37.2% of respondents with a cough visited patent proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs) as the first port of call. Good health-seeking behavior was exhibited by only 36.2% of respondents. In total, 38.9% delayed seeking care from a health facility (government or private) more than one month after the onset of symptoms. None of the factors included in the multivariate analysis showed a significant association with good health-seeking behavior (i.e., visiting government or private hospitals/clinics). The poor health-seeking behavior, delay in seeking TB care and preference for PPMVs emphasizes the need for National tuberculosis programs (NTPs) to further engage these informal providers in TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment services in urban slum communities.