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Biermann, Olivia, Tran, Phuong Bich, Viney, Kerri, Caws, Maxine 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9109-350X, Lönnroth, Knut and Sidney Annerstedt, Kristi
(2020)
'Active case-finding policy development, implementation and scale-up in high-burden countries: A mixed-methods survey with National Tuberculosis Programme managers and document review'. PLoS ONE, Vol 15, Issue 10, e0240696.
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Abstract
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) stresses the importance of active case-finding (ACF) for early detection of tuberculosis (TB), especially in the 30 high-burden countries that account for almost 90% of cases globally.
Objective
To describe the attitudes of National TB Programme (NTP) managers related to ACF policy development, implementation and scale-up in the 30 high-burden countries, and to review national TB strategic plans.
Methods
This was a mixed-methods study with an embedded design: A cross-sectional survey with NTP managers yielded quantitative and qualitative data. A review of national TB strategic plans complemented the results. All data were analyzed in parallel and merged in the interpretation of the findings.
Results
23 of the 30 NTP managers (77%) participated in the survey and 22 (73%) national TB strategic plans were reviewed. NTP managers considered managers in districts and regions key stakeholders for both ACF policy development and implementation. Different types of evidence were used to inform ACF policy, while there was a particular demand for local evidence. The NSPs reflected the NTP managers’ unanimous agreement on the need for ACF scale-up, but not all included explicit aims and targets related to ACF. The NTP managers recognized that ACF may decrease health systems costs in the long-term, while acknowledging the risk for increased health system costs in the short-term. About 90% of the NTP managers declared that financial and human resources were currently lacking, while they also elaborated on strategies to overcome resource constraints.
Conclusion
NTP managers stated that ACF should be scaled up but reported resource constraints. Strategies to increase resources exist but may not yet have been fully implemented, e.g. generating local evidence including from operational research for advocacy. Managers in districts and regions were identified as key stakeholders whose involvement could help improve ACF policy development, implementation and scale-up.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 530 International health administration WA Public Health > Statistics. Surveys > WA 900 Public health statistics WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 200 Tuberculosis (General) |
| Faculty: Department: | Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department |
| Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240696 |
| Depositing User: | Stacy Murtagh |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Nov 2020 14:56 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Nov 2020 14:56 |
| URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/16083 |
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