Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39681888›Full record

ArticleBMC global and public health2023

Evaluation of a results-based financing nutrition intervention for tuberculosis patients in Madhya Pradesh, India, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Embry Howell, Rama Rao Dammala, Pratibha Pandey, Darcy Strouse, Atul Sharma, Neeta Rao, Sudheer Nadipally, Amar Shah, Varsha Rai, Russell Dowling

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Article in BMC global and public health, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

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5citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Embry HowellUrban Institute, 500 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC, 20024, USA.
Rama Rao DammalaChildFund India, 22, Museum Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560001, India.
Pratibha PandeyChildFund India, 22, Museum Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560001, India.
Darcy StrouseChildFund International, 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA, 23294, USA.
Atul SharmaPostgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector-12, Chandigarh, PIN- 160012, India.
Neeta RaoUS Agency for International Development, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20004, USA.
Sudheer NadipallyIPE Global, B-84, Defence Colony, Delhi, New Delhi, 110024, India.
Amar ShahUS Agency for International Development, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20004, USA.
Varsha RaiState Tuberculosis Office, National Health Mission, Link Road No. 3, Journalist Colony, Bhopal, PIN-462016, India.
Russell DowlingChildFund International, 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA, 23294, USA. RDowling@childfund.org.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundReducing malnutrition through food supplementation is a critical component of the WHO End Tuberculosis (TB) strategy. A results-based financing (RBF) initiative in Madhya Pradesh, India-called Mukti-introduced an intensive nutrition intervention, including home visits, counseling, food basket distribution, and assistance in obtaining government benefits. Phase 1 of the program (Dhar District), implemented by ChildFund India (ChildFund) and funded by USAID, coincided with the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Under an RBF reimbursement scheme, ChildFund was paid based on treatment retention for 6 months and weight gain of 6 kg for adults.

methodsThe evaluation used a mixed methods approach. Qualitative components included interviews with key informants and focus groups with program participants. Quantitative components included an analysis of program data (i.e., patient demographics, receipt of program services, and weight gain). An impact analysis of retention in treatment used data from a government database. A difference-in-differences model was used to compare results from baseline data and the program period for Dhar District to similar data for the adjacent Jhabua District.

resultsThe program was well implemented and appreciated by patients and providers. Patients received an average of 10.2 home visits and 6.2 food baskets. While all age and sex groups gained weight significantly over their 6-month treatment period, there was no program impact on treatment retention. Seventy-six percent of patients achieved both outcome goals. And though average program costs were under budget, ChildFund experienced a loss in the results-based financing scheme, which was covered by USAID to continue program expansion.

conclusionsImplementing a nutrition supplementation and education program for TB patients in India is feasible. The intervention improved weight gain despite COVID-19-related lockdowns. The Mukti program did not impact treatment retention, which was already high at baseline. Program costs were modest, but the results-based financing reimbursement scheme resulted in a loss for the implementer. Overall, the RBF model led to an increased focus on outcomes for program staff and other stakeholders, which led to more efficient service delivery. Future research should examine total costs (including donated staff time) more extensively to determine the cost-effectiveness of Mukti and similar interventions.

Indexed as

EvaluationIndiaNutritionResults-based financingTuberculosis

Identifiers

PMID39681888
PMCPMC11622994

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.