Tuberculosis-related knowledge, practices, perceived stigma and discrimination among patients with tuberculosis: a cross-sectional study in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis knowledge, practices, and perceived stigma and discrimination among patients with tuberculosis are key factors for the management of the disease. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to assess knowledge, practices, perceived stigma and discrimination, perceived family and health workers support, perceived level of satisfaction with healthcare services, delay in diagnosis/treatment and reasons for delay among patients with tuberculosis in Jordan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who were under treatment for tuberculosis in Jordan in 2021. RESULTS: This study included a total of 452 patients with tuberculosis. About 91.4% of patients had low to moderate overall tuberculosis-related knowledge score and 8.6% had high knowledge score. Almost two-thirds of patients (67.5%) had perceived a low level of stigma, 61 (13.5%) perceived a moderate level of stigma, and 86 (19.0%) perceived a high level of stigma. The majority (84.5%) of patients with tuberculosis thought that there was a delay in diagnosis and/or treatment of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Our study showed gaps in tuberculosis knowledge and practices, high perceived stigma and discrimination, and perceived delay in diagnosis and treatment initiation,. Efforts within the national tuberculosis control program should be made to increase public awareness about the symptoms of tuberculosis and the importance of seeking early care.

HIV- related knowledge, attitude, practices, and stigma among healthcare providers caring for HIV in Jordan: Identification of several organizational challenges.

Background: There is a paucity of data on Healthcare Providers (HCPs) caring for people living with HIV in Jordan. Objective: We aimed to understand HCPs' knowledge, attitude, stigma, and practices, to assess the gaps in HIV care in Jordan. Methods: We conducted recorded in-depth interviews with all five HCPs working at the only HIV Service Center in Jordan, using semi-structured questions in 2021. Content analysis was performed. Results: Several organizational challenges were identified. Only one had received HIV training. All were uncertain of updated recommendations with little knowledge of international guidelines, vertical transmission, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and prophylaxis. Four HCPs perform counseling, focusing on easing anxieties, risk modification, and the importance of treatment adherence. However, their counseling on contraception, risk of transmission, STIs, and NCDs is inadequate, and they have little-to-no experience with prophylaxis. Most had a positive attitude towards people living with HIV, especially HCPs working at the center the longest, encouraging marriage and reproduction. Most do not approve of mandatory testing, or of breaching patient confidentiality. They repetitively described risky behavior as 'immoral behavior', empathizing more with patients who caught HIV through blood transfusion or birth, and demonstrating embedded stigmatized beliefs. They reported people living with HIV experience anticipated stigma and stigma by their general community including by other HCPs. Conclusion: This is the first study on HCPs caring for people living with HIV in Jordan. It highlights the suboptimal knowledge, practices, and stigma which improve with greater participatory exposure to HIV care. HCPs had an overall positive attitude, more evident in HCPs working at the clinic the longest.

Feasibility, enablers and challenges of using timeliness metrics for household contact tracing and TB preventive therapy in Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION: Screening household contacts of TB patients and providing TB preventive therapy (TPT) is a key intervention to end the TB epidemic. Global and timely implementation of TPT in household contacts, however, is dismal. We adapted the 7-1-7 timeliness metric designed to evaluate and respond to infectious disease outbreaks or pandemics, and assessed the feasibility, enablers and challenges of implementing this metric for screening and management of household contacts of index patients with bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB in Karachi city, Pakistan. METHODS: We conducted an explanatory mixed methods study with a quantitative component (cohort design) followed by a qualitative component (descriptive design with focus group discussions). RESULTS: From January-June 2023, 92% of 450 index patients had their household contacts line-listed within seven days of initiating anti-TB treatment ("first 7"). In 84% of 1342 household contacts, screening outcomes were ascertained within one day of line-listing ("next 1"). In 35% of 256 household contacts eligible for further evaluation by a medical officer (aged ≤5 years or with chest symptoms), anti-tuberculosis treatment, TPT or a decision for no drugs was made within seven days of symptom screening ("second 7"). The principal reason for not starting anti-tuberculosis treatment or TPT was failure to consult a medical officer: only 129(50%) of 256 contacts consulted a medical officer. Reasons for poor performance in the "second 7" component included travel costs to see a medical officer, loss of daily earnings and fear of a TB diagnosis. Field staff reported that timeliness metrics motivated them to take prompt action in household contact screening and TPT provision and they suggested these be included in national guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Field staff found "7-1-7" timeliness metrics to be feasible and useful. Integration of these metrics into national guidelines could improve timeliness of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TB within households of index patients.

High prevalence of current tobacco smoking among patients with tuberculosis and people living with HIV in Jordan: A cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION: Continued smoking by patients with tuberculosis (TB) and people living with HIV (PLHIV) leads to adverse treatment outcomes. Estimates of tobacco use among the population are scarce in the Eastern Mediterranean region, where the burden of TB and HIV is also low but highly variable. This study determined the prevalence of current smoking and assessed factors associated with current smoking among patients with TB and PLHIV in Jordan. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Jordan Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices survey in 2021. Information on current tobacco use, including products and frequency of smoking, was collected from 452 patients with TB and 152 PLHIV. We performed multivariable logistic regression to assess the sociodemographic characteristics independently associated with current smoking. RESULTS: Prevalence of current smoking was 43.8% among TB patients and 67.8 % among PLHIV, and conventional cigarettes were the most used tobacco products. The prevalence of current smoking among patients with TB was higher among males (AOR=8.20; 95% CI: 5.05-13.32), Jordanians (AOR=5.37; 95% CI: 2.66-10.86) and Syrians (AOR=4.13; 95% CI: 1.60-10.67), and those experiencing financial difficulties (AOR=2.83; 95% CI: 1.69-4.74). The prevalence of current smoking among PLHIV was higher in those with financial difficulties (AOR=3.13; 95% CI: 1.19-8.27). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of the patients with TB and PLHIV were current tobacco smokers, higher than the general population. There is an urgent need to investigate the reasons for such a high smoking prevalence and introduce and strengthen smoking cessation services under the TB and HIV control programs.

Improving measurement of tuberculosis care cascades to enhance people-centred care.

Care cascades represent the proportion of people reaching milestones in care for a disease and are widely used to track progress towards global targets for HIV and other diseases. Despite recent progress in estimating care cascades for tuberculosis (TB) disease, they have not been routinely applied at national and subnational levels, representing a lost opportunity for public health impact. As researchers who have estimated TB care cascades in high-incidence countries (India, Madagascar, Nigeria, Peru, South Africa, and Zambia), we describe the utility of care cascades and identify measurement challenges, including the lack of population-based disease burden data and electronic data capture, the under-reporting of people with TB navigating fragmented and privatised health systems, the heterogeneity of TB tests, and the lack of post-treatment follow-up. We outline an agenda for rectifying these gaps and argue that improving care cascade measurement is crucial to enhancing people-centred care and achieving the End TB goals.

Improvement in the Surveillance System for Livestock Diseases and Antimicrobial Use Following Operational Research Studies in Sierra Leone January-March 2023.

In Sierra Leone, two operational research (OR) studies in 2019 and 2021 showed deficiencies in the data being captured by the Integrated Animal Disease Surveillance and Reporting (IADSR) system. This third OR study was conducted in 2023 to assess whether the second OR study's results and recommendations were disseminated with the key stakeholders, the uptake of the recommendations, improvements in data capture in the IADSR system, and to describe the data on livestock disease and antimicrobial use. In 2022, on seven occasions, the authors of the second OR study disseminated the study's findings. Of the four recommendations, the one on improving laboratory infrastructure for confirmation of animal disease was not implemented. The district animal health weekly surveillance reports received through the IADSR system were sustained at 88% between the second (2021) and third (2023) studies. In both studies, the proportion of sick animals receiving antibiotics (25%) remained the same, but the use of "critically important antimicrobials for veterinary use" declined from 77% (in 2021) to 69% (in 2023). The IADSR system has improved considerably in providing information on animal health and antibiotic use, and sequential OR studies have played a key role in its improvement.

Time to Treatment and Risk Factors for Unsuccessful Treatment Outcomes among People Who Started Second-Line Treatment for Rifampicin-Resistant or Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in the Kyrgyz Republic, 2021.

The Kyrgyz Republic is a high-burden country for rifampicin resistant/multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB). TB control efforts rely on early diagnosis and initiation of people on effective regimens. We studied the interval from diagnosis of RR-TB to starting treatment and risk factors for unsuccessful outcomes among people who started RR/MDR-TB treatment in 2021. We conducted a cohort study using country-wide programme data and used binomial regression to determine associations between unsuccessful outcomes and predictor variables. Of the 535 people included in the study, three-quarters were in the age category 18-59 years, and 68% had past history of TB. The median (IQR) time from onset of TB symptoms to diagnosis was 30 (11-62) days, 1 (0-4) days from diagnosis to starting treatment, and 35 (24-65) days from starting treatment to receipt of second-line drug susceptibility test (SL-DST) results. Overall, 136 (25%) had unsuccessful outcomes. Risk factors for unsuccessful outcomes were being homeless, fluroquinolone resistance, having unknown HIV status, past TB treatment, male gender and being unemployed. Treatment outcomes and the interval from diagnosis to starting treatment were commendable. Further reductions in unsuccessful outcomes by be achieved through ensuring timely diagnosis and access to SL-DSTs and by reducing the proportion of people who are lost to follow-up.

Managing Comorbidities, Determinants and Disability at Start and End of TB Treatment under Routine Program Conditions in China.

Many patients with tuberculosis (TB) have comorbidities, risk determinants and disability that co-exist at diagnosis, during and after TB treatment. We conducted an observational cohort study in 11 health facilities in China to assess under routine program conditions (i) the burden of these problems at the start and end of TB treatment and (ii) whether referral mechanisms for further care were functional. There were 603 patients registered with drug-susceptible TB who started TB treatment: 84% were symptomatic, 14% had diabetes, 14% had high blood pressure, 19% smoked cigarettes, 10% drank excess alcohol and in 45% the 6 min walking test (6MWT) was abnormal. Five patients were identified with mental health disorders. There were 586 (97%) patients who successfully completed TB treatment six months later. Of these, 18% were still symptomatic, 12% had diabetes (the remainder with diabetes failed to complete treatment), 5% had high blood pressure, 5% smoked cigarettes, 1% drank excess alcohol and 25% had an abnormal 6MWT. Referral mechanisms for the care of comorbidities and determinants worked well except for mental health and pulmonary rehabilitation for disability. There is need for more programmatic-related studies in other countries to build the evidence base for care of TB-related conditions and disability.

Tuberculosis-related knowledge, behaviors, stigmatizing attitude, and discrimination among refugees, migrants, and the general population in Jordan.

Objective: A better understanding of tuberculosis-related knowledge, attitude, practices in the community, and other issues can help in implementing evidence-driven activities to control tuberculosis in Jordan. This study aimed to assess tuberculosis-related knowledge, attitude, and behaviors among refugees, migrants, and general population, and assess their stigmatizing and discrimination attitudes toward tuberculosis patients, social behavior toward tuberculosis, and healthcare-seeking behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Jordanians, Syrian refugees, and migrants living in four governorates including Amman, Zarqa, Mafraq, and Irbid during the study period of June to September 2021. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data via face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and general linear model procedure were used to analyze data. Results: A total of 2302 (27.7% Jordanians, 25.7% urban refugees, 22.1% camp refugees, and 24.5% migrants) participated in this study. Of the total, 90.1% of participants reported that they have heard of tuberculosis. However, 88.9% of Jordanians, 92.8% of urban refugees, 92% of camp refugees, and 90.5% of migrants had low level of tuberculosis-related knowledge. About 62.0% of urban refugees, 54.8% of Jordanians, 43.0% of camp refugees, and 55.4% of migrants had moderate to high stigmatizing attitude toward tuberculosis patients. About 15.1% of Jordanians, 10.6% of urban refugees, 23.7% of camp refugees, and 16.1% of migrants had moderate to high level of discriminating attitude toward tuberculosis patients. Camp refugees had a significantly higher level of discriminating attitude toward tuberculosis patients than the other groups. Conclusion: This study identified significant gaps in tuberculosis-related knowledge among the targeted groups. Moderate to high level of stigmatizing attitude was reported by a considerable proportion of the study participants. This suggests a need for public health education programs to educate people on tuberculosis causes, signs, symptoms, mode of transmission, and address related stigma, especially among the most disadvantaged and affected communities in Jordan.

Tuberculosis Notification in Jordan, 2016-2020.

The burden of tuberculosis (TB) in Jordan is largely unknown due to the paucity of high-quality data, under-reporting, and a lack of good quality vital registration system. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of TB patients in Jordan, determine the TB notification rate and assess the trend of TB notification in Jordan between 2016 and 2020. Methods: This study analyzed the TB Surveillance data in Jordan for the period 2016-2020. The obtained data included information on age, gender, nationality, marital status, date of symptoms onset and date of diagnosis, and site of TB. Results: During the period 2016-2020, a total of 1711 patients (989 women and 722 men) were diagnosed with and treated for tuberculosis. The mean (SD) age of patients was 30.1 (17.2) years. Almost half of them (48.4%) were Jordanians. The majority of non-Jordanian patients were from Syria, Philippines, and Bangladesh. Two thirds of patients (66.0%) had pulmonary TB and 34.0% had extra-pulmonary TB. Almost half (50.7%) of the patients were diagnosed within one month of the symptoms' onset. The average annual TB notification rate during 2016-2020 was 3.32 per 100,000 pop (4.08 per 100,000 women and 2.64 per 100,000 men). The average annual standardized notification rate was 4.13 per 100,000 pop (4.52 per 100,000 women and 3.52 per 100,000 men). The overall age-standardized notification rate increased from 3.88 per 100,000 pop in 2016 to 4.58 per 100,000 pop in 2019 and declined to 2.46 per 100,000 pop in 2020. The trend in TB notification differed significantly according to gender. While the notification increased in the last three years among women, it decreased significantly among men. Conclusions: While TB notification increased in the last three years among women, it decreased significantly among men. There is a need to ensure that the national TB plans set clear targets for reducing the burden of TB.

Feasibility, Uptake, and Results of COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests among Refugees and Migrants in a Pilot Project in North-West Syria.

North-west Syria (NWS) is a conflict-affected and unstable area. Due to its limited health infrastructure, accessing advanced COVID-19 testing services is challenging. COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) have the potential to overcome this barrier. A pilot project was implemented to introduce Ag-RDTs in NWS, aiming to determine the feasibility, uptake, and results of Ag-RDTs and identify facilitators and barriers to testing with Ag-RDTs. A cross-sectional study design involving secondary analysis of data collected during the project was employed. A local non-governmental organization implemented 25,000 Ag-RDTs that were conducted cross-border by trained community health workers. In total, 27,888 eligible individuals were enrolled, 24,956 (89.5%) consented to test, and 121 (0.5%) were COVID-19-positive. The highest positivity was observed among those with severe COVID-19 symptoms (12.7%), with respiratory illnesses (2.5%), enrolled at hospitals in Afrin (2.5%), and healthcare workers (1.9%). A non-random sample of 236 individuals underwent confirmatory RT-PCR testing. Observed sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 80.0%, 96.1%, 91.4%, and 90.3%, respectively. Challenges included obtaining informed consent and conducting confirmatory testing. Ag-RDTs represent a feasible screening/diagnostic tool for COVID-19 infections in NWS, with nearly 90% uptake. Embedding Ag-RDTs into COVID-19 testing and screening strategies would be highly beneficial.

Scaling Up TB Screening and TB Preventive Treatment Globally: Key Actions and Healthcare Service Costs.

The 2018 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis (UNHLM) set targets for case detection and TB preventive treatment (TPT) by 2022. However, by the start of 2022, about 13.7 million TB patients still needed to be detected and treated, and 21.8 million household contacts needed to be given TPT globally. To inform future target setting, we examined how the 2018 UNHLM targets could have been achieved using WHO-recommended interventions for TB detection and TPT in 33 high-TB burden countries in the final year of the period covered by the UNHLM targets. We used OneHealth-TIME model outputs combined with the unit cost of interventions to derive the total costs of health services. Our model estimated that, in order to achieve UNHLM targets, >45 million people attending health facilities with symptoms would have needed to be evaluated for TB. An additional 23.1 million people with HIV, 19.4 million household TB contacts, and 303 million individuals from high-risk groups would have required systematic screening for TB. The estimated total costs amounted to ~USD 6.7 billion, of which ~15% was required for passive case finding, ~10% for screening people with HIV, ~4% for screening household contacts, ~65% for screening other risk groups, and ~6% for providing TPT to household contacts. Significant mobilization of additional domestic and international investments in TB healthcare services will be needed to reach such targets in the future.

Epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from inpatient and outpatient samples, Ecuador, 2018.

Objective: To compare the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from inpatient and outpatient samples in Ecuador. Methods: A secondary analysis was done of data on bacteria isolated from inpatient and outpatient samples. Data were taken from the 2018 national antimicrobial resistance surveillance database of the National Reference Center for Antimicrobial Resistance. The variables included were: age, sex, inpatient versus outpatient setting, type of specimen, bacterial species identified, pattern of resistance to antibiotics, and geographic area. Results: Data from 57 305 bacterial isolates were included in the study: 48.8% were from hospitalized patients, 55.7% were from women, and 60.1% were from patients older than 45 years. Urine (42.9%) and blood (12.4%) were the most common clinical samples. Overall, 77.1% of bacterial isolates were gram-negative (83% and 71% in outpatients and inpatients, respectively). The most common gram-positive and gram-negative species were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Antimicrobial resistance levels were high (up to 80% for some antimicrobial drugs), and were higher in hospitalized patients compared with outpatients. A variety of carbapenemases were found to confer resistance to carbapenems (antibiotics of last resort) in gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions: The study findings provide an important baseline on antimicrobial resistance in Ecuador. This will allow the strengthening of guidelines of the surveillance system, the creation of public policies for standardization of laboratory methodologies, the proper handling of information, and the development of empirical therapy guidelines based on local epidemiology.

Epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from inpatient and outpatient samples, Ecuador, 2018

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To compare the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from inpatient and outpatient samples in Ecuador. Methods. A secondary analysis was done of data on bacteria isolated from inpatient and outpatient samples. Data were taken from the 2018 national antimicrobial resistance surveillance database of the National Refer- ence Center for Antimicrobial Resistance. The variables included were: age, sex, inpatient versus outpatient setting, type of specimen, bacterial species identified, pattern of resistance to antibiotics, and geographic area. Results. Data from 57 305 bacterial isolates were included in the study: 48.8% were from hospitalized patients, 55.7% were from women, and 60.1% were from patients older than 45 years. Urine (42.9%) and blood (12.4%) were the most common clinical samples. Overall, 77.1% of bacterial isolates were gram-negative (83% and 71% in outpatients and inpatients, respectively). The most common gram-positive and gram-negative species were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Antimicrobial resistance levels were high (up to 80% for some antimicrobial drugs), and were higher in hospitalized patients compared with outpatients. A variety of carbapenemases were found to confer resistance to carbapenems (antibiotics of last resort) in gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions. The study findings provide an important baseline on antimicrobial resistance in Ecuador. This will allow the strengthening of guidelines of the surveillance system, the creation of public policies for stan- dardization of laboratory methodologies, the proper handling of information, and the development of empirical therapy guidelines based on local epidemiology.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Comparar las características epidemiológicas de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos en cepas bacterianas aisladas de muestras de pacientes de servicios hospitalarios y ambulatorios en Ecuador. Métodos. Se realizó un análisis secundario de los datos sobre cepas bacterianas aisladas en muestras de pacientes de servicios hospitalarios y ambulatorios. Se recogieron los datos de la base de datos nacional del 2018 para la vigilancia de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos del Centro de Referencia Nacional para la Resis- tencia a los Antimicrobianos. Las variables incluidas fueron: edad, sexo, entorno hospitalario frente a entorno ambulatorio, tipo de muestra, especies bacterianas detectadas, patrón de resistencia a los antibióticos y zona geográfica. Resultados. En el estudio se incluyeron datos de 57 305 cepas aislamientos bacterianos: 48,8% fueron de pacientes hospitalizados, 55,7% fueron de mujeres y 60,1% fueron de pacientes mayores de 45 años. La orina (42,9%) y la sangre (12,4%) fueron las muestras clínicas más comunes. En general, 77,1% de las cepas bac- terianas aisladas fueron gramnegativas (83% y 71% en pacientes de servicios ambulatorios y hospitalarios, respectivamente). Las especies grampositivas y gramnegativas más comunes fueron Staphylococcus aureus y Escherichia coli, respectivamente. Los niveles de resistencia a los antimicrobianos fueron elevados (hasta 80% en el caso de algunos fármacos antimicrobianos) y fueron más elevados en los pacientes de servicios hospitalarios en comparación con los pacientes de servicios ambulatorios. Se encontró que una variedad de carbapenemasas confiere resistencia a los carbapenémicos (antibióticos de último recurso) en bacterias gramnegativas. Conclusiones. Los resultados del estudio proporcionan una línea de base importante sobre la resistencia a los antimicrobianos en Ecuador, que permitirá el fortalecimiento de las directrices del sistema de vigilancia, la creación de políticas públicas para la estandarización de los métodos de laboratorio, una adecuada gestión de la información y la elaboración de orientaciones de tratamiento empírico basadas en las características epidemiológicas locales.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Comparar a epidemiologia da resistência aos antimicrobianos em bactérias isoladas de amostras hospitalares e ambulatoriais no Equador. Métodos. Foi feita uma análise secundária de dados sobre bactérias isoladas de amostras hospitalares e ambulatoriais. Os dados foram obtidos do banco de dados nacional de vigilância da resistência aos antimi- crobianos de 2018 do Centro Nacional de Referência para a Resistência aos Antimicrobianos. As variáveis incluídas foram: idade, sexo, ambiente hospitalar versus ambiente ambulatorial, tipo de espécime, espécies bacterianas identificadas, padrão de resistência a antibióticos e área geográfica. Resultados. Foram incluídos no estudo os dados de 57 305 isolados bacterianos: 48,8% eram de pacientes hospitalizados, 55,7% eram de mulheres e 60,1% eram de pacientes com mais de 45 anos. As amostras clínicas mais comuns foram urina (42,9%) e sangue (12,4%). No total, 77,1% dos isolados bacterianos eram gram-negativos (83% e 71% em pacientes ambulatoriais e pacientes internados, respectivamente). As espécies gram-positivas e gram-negativas mais comuns foram Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli, respectivamente. Os níveis de resistência aos antimicrobianos foram elevados (até 80% para alguns antimi- crobianos) e foram mais elevados em pacientes hospitalizados em comparação com pacientes ambulatoriais. Foram encontradas várias carbapenemases que conferem resistência aos carbapenêmicos (antibióticos de último recurso) em bactérias gram-negativas. Conclusões. Os resultados do estudo fornecem uma importante linha de base sobre a resistência aos anti- microbianos no Equador. Isto permitirá o fortalecimento das diretrizes do sistema de vigilância, a criação de políticas públicas para padronização de metodologias laboratoriais, o manejo adequado de informações e o desenvolvimento de diretrizes para a antibioticoterapia empírica com base na epidemiologia local.

Empanelment of the Population to the Primary Medical Care Institution of Sri Lanka: A Mixed-Methods Study on Outcomes and Challenges.

The registration of individuals with designated primary medical care institutions (PMCIs) is a key step towards their empanelment with these PMCIs, supported by the Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project in Sri Lanka. We conducted an explanatory mixed-methods study to assess the extent of registration at nine selected PMCIs and understand the challenges therein. By June 2021, 36,999 (19.2%, 95% CI-19.0-19.4%) of the 192,358 catchment population allotted to these PMCIs were registered. At this rate, only 50% coverage would be achieved by the end of the project (December 2023). Proportions of those aged <35 years and males among those registered were lower compared to their general population distribution. Awareness activities regarding registration were conducted in most of the PMCIs, but awareness in the community was low. Poor registration coverage was due to a lack of dedicated staff for registration, misconceptions of health care workers about individuals needing to be registered, reliance on opportunistic or passive registration, and lack of monitoring mechanisms; these were further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving forward, there is an urgent need to address these challenges to improve registration coverage and ensure that all individuals are empaneled before the close of the project for it to have a meaningful impact.

Outcomes and Challenges in Noncommunicable Disease Care Provision in Health Facilities Supported by Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project in Sri Lanka: A Mixed-Methods Study.

The Primary Healthcare System Strengthening Project in Sri Lanka focuses on improving noncommunicable disease (NCD) care provision at primary medical care institutions (PMCIs). We conducted an explanatory mixed-methods study to assess completeness of screening for NCD risk, linkage to care, and outcomes of diabetes/hypertension care at nine selected PMCIs, as well as to understand reasons for gaps. Against a screening coverage target of 50% among individuals aged ≥ 35 years, PMCIs achieved 23.3% (95% CI: 23.0-23.6%) because of a lack of perceived need for screening among the public and COVID-19-related service disruptions. Results of investigations and details of further referral were not documented in almost half of those screened. Post screening, 45% of those eligible for follow-up NCD care were registered at medical clinics. Lack of robust recording/tracking mechanisms and preference for private providers contributed to post-screening attrition. Follow-up biochemical investigations for monitoring complications were not conducted in more than 50% of diabetes/hypertension patients due to nonprescription of investigations by healthcare providers and poor uptake among patients because of nonavailability of investigations at PMCI, requiring them to avail services from the private sector, incurring out-of-pocket expenditure. Primary care strengthening needs to address these challenges to ensure successful integration of NCD care within PMCIs.

Increased All-cause Mortality in People With HIV and Comorbidities: Hepatitis B and C Virus Seropositivity and Hyperglycemia in Myanmar, 2005-2017.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection are associated with increased mortality in people with HIV (PWH), and hyperglycemia is a common comorbidity in PWH. In this study, we used routinely collected clinical data to assess the associations between HBV and HCV seropositivity with all-cause mortality and whether this relationship differs by hyperglycemia status. Methods: Eligible participants included adult PWH (≥15 years) who initiated antiretroviral therapy between May 2005 and June 2016 in Myanmar. HBV and HCV serostatus and hyperglycemia were measured at enrollment to HIV care using HBV surface antigen, HCV antibody tests, and random blood glucose (≥140 mg/dL), respectively. Results: Among 27 722 PWH, 2260 (8%) were HBV seropositive, 2265 (9%) were HCV seropositive, 178 (0.6%) were HBV-HCV seropositive, and 1425 (5%) had hyperglycemia. During the median follow-up (interquartile range) of 3.1 (1.5-5.1) years, 3655 (13%) PWH died, and the overall mortality rate was 3.8 (95% CI, 3.7-3.9) per 100-person-years (PY). The mortality rate (per 100 PY) among PWH who were HBV seropositive was 4.6, among PWH who were HCV seropositive it was 5.1, and among PWH who were HBV-HCV seropositive it was 7.1. When stratified by glycemic status, the mortality rate was higher among patients with hyperglycemia compared with those with euglycemia (5.4 vs 4.0 per 100 PY), and the difference in mortality rate between patients with hyperglycemia and euglycemia was highest among those with HCV seropositivity (9.8 vs 5.0 per 100 PY). Conclusions: Increased mortality rates associated with HBV and HCV seropositivity in PWH differed by their glycemic status. PWH with HCV seropositivity and hyperglycemia had the highest mortality rates.

Epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from inpatient and outpatient samples, Ecuador, 2018 / Características epidemiológicas de la resistencia antimicrobiana en cepas bacterianas aisladas en pacientes de servicios hospitalarios y ambulatorios de Ecuador, 2018 / Epidemiologia da resistência aos antimicrobianos em bactérias isoladas de amostras hospitalares e ambulatoriais no Equador, 2018

ABSTRACT Objective. To compare the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from inpatient and outpatient samples in Ecuador. Methods. A secondary analysis was done of data on bacteria isolated from inpatient and outpatient samples. Data were taken from the 2018 national antimicrobial resistance surveillance database of the National Reference Center for Antimicrobial Resistance. The variables included were: age, sex, inpatient versus outpatient setting, type of specimen, bacterial species identified, pattern of resistance to antibiotics, and geographic area. Results. Data from 57 305 bacterial isolates were included in the study: 48.8% were from hospitalized patients, 55.7% were from women, and 60.1% were from patients older than 45 years. Urine (42.9%) and blood (12.4%) were the most common clinical samples. Overall, 77.1% of bacterial isolates were gram-negative (83% and 71% in outpatients and inpatients, respectively). The most common gram-positive and gram-negative species were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Antimicrobial resistance levels were high (up to 80% for some antimicrobial drugs), and were higher in hospitalized patients compared with outpatients. A variety of carbapenemases were found to confer resistance to carbapenems (antibiotics of last resort) in gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions. The study findings provide an important baseline on antimicrobial resistance in Ecuador. This will allow the strengthening of guidelines of the surveillance system, the creation of public policies for standardization of laboratory methodologies, the proper handling of information, and the development of empirical therapy guidelines based on local epidemiology.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Comparar las características epidemiológicas de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos en cepas bacterianas aisladas de muestras de pacientes de servicios hospitalarios y ambulatorios en Ecuador. Métodos. Se realizó un análisis secundario de los datos sobre cepas bacterianas aisladas en muestras de pacientes de servicios hospitalarios y ambulatorios. Se recogieron los datos de la base de datos nacional del 2018 para la vigilancia de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos del Centro de Referencia Nacional para la Resistencia a los Antimicrobianos. Las variables incluidas fueron: edad, sexo, entorno hospitalario frente a entorno ambulatorio, tipo de muestra, especies bacterianas detectadas, patrón de resistencia a los antibióticos y zona geográfica. Resultados. En el estudio se incluyeron datos de 57 305 cepas aislamientos bacterianos: 48,8% fueron de pacientes hospitalizados, 55,7% fueron de mujeres y 60,1% fueron de pacientes mayores de 45 años. La orina (42,9%) y la sangre (12,4%) fueron las muestras clínicas más comunes. En general, 77,1% de las cepas bacterianas aisladas fueron gramnegativas (83% y 71% en pacientes de servicios ambulatorios y hospitalarios, respectivamente). Las especies grampositivas y gramnegativas más comunes fueron Staphylococcus aureus y Escherichia coli, respectivamente. Los niveles de resistencia a los antimicrobianos fueron elevados (hasta 80% en el caso de algunos fármacos antimicrobianos) y fueron más elevados en los pacientes de servicios hospitalarios en comparación con los pacientes de servicios ambulatorios. Se encontró que una variedad de carbapenemasas confiere resistencia a los carbapenémicos (antibióticos de último recurso) en bacterias gramnegativas. Conclusiones. Los resultados del estudio proporcionan una línea de base importante sobre la resistencia a los antimicrobianos en Ecuador, que permitirá el fortalecimiento de las directrices del sistema de vigilancia, la creación de políticas públicas para la estandarización de los métodos de laboratorio, una adecuada gestión de la información y la elaboración de orientaciones de tratamiento empírico basadas en las características epidemiológicas locales.

RESUMO Objetivo. Comparar a epidemiologia da resistência aos antimicrobianos em bactérias isoladas de amostras hospitalares e ambulatoriais no Equador. Métodos. Foi feita uma análise secundária de dados sobre bactérias isoladas de amostras hospitalares e ambulatoriais. Os dados foram obtidos do banco de dados nacional de vigilância da resistência aos antimicrobianos de 2018 do Centro Nacional de Referência para a Resistência aos Antimicrobianos. As variáveis incluídas foram: idade, sexo, ambiente hospitalar versus ambiente ambulatorial, tipo de espécime, espécies bacterianas identificadas, padrão de resistência a antibióticos e área geográfica. Resultados. Foram incluídos no estudo os dados de 57 305 isolados bacterianos: 48,8% eram de pacientes hospitalizados, 55,7% eram de mulheres e 60,1% eram de pacientes com mais de 45 anos. As amostras clínicas mais comuns foram urina (42,9%) e sangue (12,4%). No total, 77,1% dos isolados bacterianos eram gram-negativos (83% e 71% em pacientes ambulatoriais e pacientes internados, respectivamente). As espécies gram-positivas e gram-negativas mais comuns foram Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli, respectivamente. Os níveis de resistência aos antimicrobianos foram elevados (até 80% para alguns antimicrobianos) e foram mais elevados em pacientes hospitalizados em comparação com pacientes ambulatoriais. Foram encontradas várias carbapenemases que conferem resistência aos carbapenêmicos (antibióticos de último recurso) em bactérias gram-negativas. Conclusões. Os resultados do estudo fornecem uma importante linha de base sobre a resistência aos antimicrobianos no Equador. Isto permitirá o fortalecimento das diretrizes do sistema de vigilância, a criação de políticas públicas para padronização de metodologias laboratoriais, o manejo adequado de informações e o desenvolvimento de diretrizes para a antibioticoterapia empírica com base na epidemiologia local.

Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project in Sri Lanka: Status and Challenges with Human Resources, Information Systems, Drugs and Laboratory Services.

A Primary Healthcare-System-Strengthening Project (PSSP) is implemented by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, with funding support from the World Bank for providing quality care through primary medical care institutions (PMCIs). We used an explanatory mixed-methods study to assess progress and challenges in human resources, drug availability, laboratory services and the health management information system (HMIS) at PMCIs. We conducted a checklist-based assessment followed by in-depth interviews of healthcare workers in one PMCI each in all nine provinces. All PMCIs had medical/nursing officers, but data entry operators (44%) and laboratory technicians (33%) were mostly not available. Existing staff were assigned additional responsibilities in PSSP, decreasing their motivation and efficiency. While 11/18 (61%) essential drugs were available in all PMCIs, buffer stocks were not maintained in >50% due to poor supply chain management and storage infrastructure. Only 6/14 (43%) essential laboratory investigations were available in >50% of PMCIs, non-availability was due to shortages of reagents/consumables and lack of sample collection−transportation system. The HMIS was installed in PMCIs but its usage was sub-optimal due to perceived lack of utility, few trained operators and poor internet connectivity. The PSSP needs to address these bottlenecks as a priority to ensure sustainability and successful scale-up.

Quality, Equity and Partnerships in Mixed Methods and Qualitative Research during Seven Years of Implementing the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative in 18 Countries.

Introduction: Qualitative studies are often inadequately reported, making it difficult to judge their appropriateness for decision making in public health. We assessed the publication characteristics and quality of reporting of qualitative and mixed-method studies from the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT), a global partnership for operational research capacity building. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of publications to assess the qualitative component using an adapted version of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist. Results: In 67 publications involving 18 countries, 32 journals and 13 public health themes, 55 were mixed-methods studies and 12 were qualitative studies. First authorship from low-and-middle-income (LMIC) countries was present in 64 (96%), LMIC last authorship in 55 (82%), and female first authorship in 30 (45%). The mean LMIC institutions represented per publication was five (range 1-11). Sixty-three (94%) publications were open access. Reporting quality was graded as 'good' to 'excellent' in 60 (89%) publications, 'fair' in five (8%) and 'poor' in two (3%). Conclusion: Most SORT IT publications adhered to COREQ standards, while supporting gender equity in authorship and the promotion of LMIC research leadership. SORT IT plays an important role in ensuring quality of evidence for decision making to improve public health.