Can community pharmacists improve tuberculosis case finding? A mixed methods intervention study in India
A novel TB screening and referral intervention was piloted over 18 months, under the recruitment of 105 pharmacies in Patna
Abstract
India has the world’s highest burden of tuberculosis (TB). Private retail pharmacies are the preferred provider for 40% of patients with TB symptoms and up to 25% of diagnosed patients. Engaging pharmacies in TB screening services could improve case detection.
A novel TB screening and referral intervention was piloted over 18 months, under the pragmatic staggered recruitment of 105 pharmacies in Patna, India. The intervention was integrated into an ongoing public–private mix (PPM) programme, with 5 added components: pharmacy training in TB screening, referral of patients with TB symptoms for a chest radiograph (CXR) followed by a doctor consultation, incentives for referral completion and TB diagnosis, short message service (SMS) reminders and field support. The intervention was evaluated using mixed methods.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Daftary A, Satyanarayana S, Jha N, Singh M, Mondal S, Vadnais C, Pai M. Can community pharmacists improve tuberculosis case finding? A mixed methods intervention study in India. BMJ Global Health. 2019;4(3):e001417.