ArticleIJTLD open2026
Drone-based sputum transport for TB diagnosis in remote communities.
Article in IJTLD open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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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.
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9 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundTB remains a major public health concern in India where diagnostic delays persist. This study assessed the impact of drone-based sputum transport on turnaround time (TAT) and access to TB care in Telangana's Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district.
methodsA quasi-experimental mixed-methods study was conducted under the Indian Council of Medical Research's i-DRONE initiative. Intervention included pre-drone phase (ground transport of samples) and drone phase (drone-based transport of samples). Outcomes: TAT, patient and diagnostic delay, and out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE). Quantitative data were analysed using Jamovi and MS Excel; qualitative insights were gathered from open-ended remarks and observations made during the field.
resultsA total of 840 individuals (206 in the pre-drone phase and 634 in the drone phase) were enrolled. The median TAT reduced from 15 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 10-20) in the pre-drone phase to 5 days (IQR: 2-9) in the drone phase, and the mean (standard deviation) TAT dropped from 16.6 days (18.1) to 6.9 days (8.3) (
conclusionSignificant reduction in the TAT and improved access to TB diagnosis in rural and remote Indian settings support the feasibility of scaling drone-based logistics within national TB elimination efforts.
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