Scientific Publication

Pre-treatment loss to follow-up among smear-positive TB patients in tertiary hospitals, Quetta, Pakistan

author(s) Wali, A. - Kumar, A.M.V.. - Hinderaker, S.G.. - Heldal, E.
from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
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themes
regions
  • Northern Europe
  • Europe
  • World
  • Southern Asia
  • Asia
citation

Wali A, Kumar AMV., Hinderaker SG, Heldal E, Qadeer E, Fatima R, Ullah A, Safdar N, Yaqoob A, Anwar K, Haq MU. Pre-treatment loss to follow-up among smear-positive TB patients in tertiary hospitals, Quetta, Pakistan. Public Health Action. 2015; 7(1):21–5

Publications and datasets provided via GARDIAN

Abstract

Setting 3 public sector tertiary care hospitals in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, with anecdotal evidence of gaps between the diagnosis and treatment of patients with tuberculosis (TB). Objectives To assess the proportion of pre-treatment loss to follow-up (LTFU), defined as no documented evidence of treatment initiation or referral in TB registers, among smear-positive pulmonary TB patients diagnosed in 2015, and the associated sociodemographic factors. Design A retrospective cohort study involving the review of laboratory and TB registers. Results Of 1110 smear-positive TB patients diagnosed (58% female, median age 40 years, 5% from outside the province or the country), 235 (21.2%) were lost to follow-up before starting treatment. Pre-treatment LTFU was higher among males; in patients residing far away, in rural areas, outside the province or the country; and in those without a mobile phone number. Conclusion About one fifth of the smear-positive TB patients were lost to follow-up before starting treatment. Strengthening the referral and feedback mechanisms and using information technology to improve the tracing of patients is urgently required. Further qualitative research is needed to understand the reasons for pre-treatment LTFU from the patient’s perspective. 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)

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