Impact Assessment of Covid19 pandemic on operational aspect of national tuberculosis elimination program in Bhavnagar district

Indian J Tuberc. 2025;72 Suppl 1:S28-S33. doi: 10.1016/j.ijtb.2024.05.012. Epub 2024 Jun 4.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: India account more than one forth tuberculosis cases. Covid 19 affect health condition like tuberculosis. We aim to assess impact of covid 19 on National Tuberculosis Elimination Program.

METHOD: In depth interviews of district tuberculosis officer, private practitioner and tuberculosis patients (who registered in District Tuberculosis Centre during April 2020-September2020) were conducted in Bhavnagar district. Notification rate during covid 19 was obtained from District Tuberculosis Centre of Bhavnagar district. All interviews were audio-recorded after obtaining written informed consent, transcribed in English, and analyzed in the form of codes and categories.

RESULT: Health care providers perceived covid 19 lockdowns, fear among patients, difficult transportation, diversion of resources and reduced concerns towards tuberculosis were the reason for low notification during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSION: COVID-19 lockdown had detrimental effects on notification rate. During such testing time patients felt proper supervision by front line worker, no issued in direct benefit transfer for nutrition support and adequate supply of medicine. Telemedicine, awareness through social media, collaboration with other agencies, bidirectional screening implementation, coping of covid 19 fear among patients, separate tuberculosis facility were the expectation from higher authority if next wave of covid 19 will come. Future studies can evaluate the feasibility, impact, and cost-effectiveness of such interventions.

PMID:40023537 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijtb.2024.05.012