ArticlePloS one2019
Routine surveillance for the identification of drug resistant Tuberculosis in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study of stakeholders' perceptions.
Article in PloS one, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Factors influencing diagnosis and treatment initiation for multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in six sub-Saharan African countries: a mixed-methods systematic review.BMJ global health · 2020Pooled it
- Optimizing hepatitis B diagnosis for mothers in a low-resource setting: A field pilot of Xpert point-of-care viral load testing in Ugandan antenatal clinics.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Direct detection of drug-resistantFrontiers in public health · 2023Article
- Integration Challenges and Opportunity of Implementing Non-Communicable Disease Screening Intervention with Tuberculosis Patient Care: A Mixed Implementation Study.Risk management and healthcare policy · 2023Article
- Knowledge of International Standards for Tuberculosis Care among Private Non-NTP Providers in Lagos, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.Tropical medicine and infectious disease · 2022Article
- Ease and equity of access to free DR-TB services in Nigeria- a qualitative analysis of policies, structures and processes.International journal for equity in health · 2020Article
- Reducing delays to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis case detection through a revised routine surveillance system.BMC infectious diseases · 2020Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundRoutine surveillance is required to monitor the performance of tuberculosis diagnostic programme and is essential for the rapid detection of drug resistance. The main objective of this study was to explore the effectiveness and stakeholder perception of the current routine surveillance system for previously treated tuberculosis cases in Tanzania with a view to identify interventions to improve and accelerate positive patient outcomes.
methodsA study using quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection including in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with health care service providers was conducted in four regions. Quantitative data were extracted from the routine databases to assess performance.
resultsQuantitative findings from 2011 to 2013 showed 2,750 specimens from previously treated TB cases were received at the reference laboratory. The number increased year on year, but even in the most recent year was only 61% of that expected. The median and interquartile range of turnaround time in days from specimen reception to results reported for smear microscopy, culture and drug susceptibility testing were 1(1, 1), 61(43, 71) and 129(72, 170) respectively. Contaminated specimens were reported in 3.6% of cases. The qualitative analysis showed the system of sending specimens using postal services was seen to be efficient by participants. However, there were many challenges and significant delays in specimens reaching the reference laboratory associated with lack of funds to transfer specimens, weak form completion, inadequate training and poor supervision. These all adversely affected the implementation of the routine surveillance system.
conclusionsMany issues limit the effectiveness of the routine surveillance system in Tanzania. Priority areas for strengthening are; specimen transportation, supervision and availability of commodities. A pilot study of a revised routine surveillance system that takes into account the observations from this study alongside improved access to drug susceptibility testing using Xpert MTB/RIF should be considered.
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