Pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment loss to follow-up and associated factors among patients with presumed tuberculosis and those diagnosed in Uganda

Abstract Background Loss to follow-up (LTFU) of patients with presumed tuberculosis (TB) before completing the diagnostic process (pre-diagnosis LTFU) and before initiating treatment for those diagnosed (pre-treatment LTFU) is a challenge in the realization of the End TB Strategy. We assessed the pr...

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Main Authors: Rebecca Nuwematsiko, Noah Kiwanuka, Solomon T. Wafula, Mary Nakafeero, Lydia Nakanjako, Henry Luzze, Stavia Turyahabwe, Juliet N. Sekandi, Lynn Atuyambe, Esther Buregyeya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12115-4
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author Rebecca Nuwematsiko
Noah Kiwanuka
Solomon T. Wafula
Mary Nakafeero
Lydia Nakanjako
Henry Luzze
Stavia Turyahabwe
Juliet N. Sekandi
Lynn Atuyambe
Esther Buregyeya
author_facet Rebecca Nuwematsiko
Noah Kiwanuka
Solomon T. Wafula
Mary Nakafeero
Lydia Nakanjako
Henry Luzze
Stavia Turyahabwe
Juliet N. Sekandi
Lynn Atuyambe
Esther Buregyeya
author_sort Rebecca Nuwematsiko
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Loss to follow-up (LTFU) of patients with presumed tuberculosis (TB) before completing the diagnostic process (pre-diagnosis LTFU) and before initiating treatment for those diagnosed (pre-treatment LTFU) is a challenge in the realization of the End TB Strategy. We assessed the proportion of pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment LTFU and associated factors among patients with presumed TB and those diagnosed in the selected health facilities. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study involving a review of routinely collected data from presumptive, laboratory and TB treatment registers from January 2019 to December 2022. The study was conducted in three general hospitals and one lower-level health center IV in Central Uganda. We defined pre-diagnosis LTFU as failure to test for TB and obtain results within 30 days from the date of being presumed and pre-treatment LTFU as failure to initiate TB treatment within 14 days from the date of diagnosis. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of factors associated with pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment LTFU. Results Of the 13,064 patients with presumed TB, 39.9% were aged 25 to 44 years, and 57.1% were females. Almost a third, 28.3% (3,699/13.064) experienced pre-diagnosis LTFU and 13.7% (163/1187) did not initiate treatment within 14 days from being diagnosed. Pre-diagnosis LTFU was more likely to occur among patients aged 0-14 years (adj PR 1.1, 95% CI: 1.06,1.24), females (adj.PR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12) and those with no record of place of residence (adj. PR=2.7, 95% CI: 2.54, 2.93). In addition, patients with no record of phone contact were more likely to be LTFU, (adj. PR=1.1, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.17). Pre-treatment LTFU was also more likely among patients with no record of place of residence (adj PR 7.1, 95% CI: 5.13,9.85) and those with no record of phone contact (adj PR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.63,2.86). Patients presumed from the HIV clinics were 40% less likely to experience pre-treatment LTFU compared to those in the outpatient departments (adj PR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.41,0.88). Conclusion High proportions of pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment LTFU were observed in this study. This calls for urgent interventions at these time points in the TB care cascade to be able to realise the End TB Strategy.
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spelling doaj-art-c3ba7b8320b04b45a9161de2f5d1fd772024-12-29T12:14:31ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-12-0124111410.1186/s12913-024-12115-4Pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment loss to follow-up and associated factors among patients with presumed tuberculosis and those diagnosed in UgandaRebecca Nuwematsiko0Noah Kiwanuka1Solomon T. Wafula2Mary Nakafeero3Lydia Nakanjako4Henry Luzze5Stavia Turyahabwe6Juliet N. Sekandi7Lynn Atuyambe8Esther Buregyeya9School of Public Health, Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere UniversitySchool of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Makerere UniversitySchool of Public Health, Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere UniversitySchool of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Makerere UniversitySchool of Public Health, Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere UniversityNational TB and Leprosy Program, Ministry of HealthNational TB and Leprosy Program, Ministry of HealthCollege of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of GeorgiaSchool of Public Health, Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Makerere UniversitySchool of Public Health, Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere UniversityAbstract Background Loss to follow-up (LTFU) of patients with presumed tuberculosis (TB) before completing the diagnostic process (pre-diagnosis LTFU) and before initiating treatment for those diagnosed (pre-treatment LTFU) is a challenge in the realization of the End TB Strategy. We assessed the proportion of pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment LTFU and associated factors among patients with presumed TB and those diagnosed in the selected health facilities. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study involving a review of routinely collected data from presumptive, laboratory and TB treatment registers from January 2019 to December 2022. The study was conducted in three general hospitals and one lower-level health center IV in Central Uganda. We defined pre-diagnosis LTFU as failure to test for TB and obtain results within 30 days from the date of being presumed and pre-treatment LTFU as failure to initiate TB treatment within 14 days from the date of diagnosis. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of factors associated with pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment LTFU. Results Of the 13,064 patients with presumed TB, 39.9% were aged 25 to 44 years, and 57.1% were females. Almost a third, 28.3% (3,699/13.064) experienced pre-diagnosis LTFU and 13.7% (163/1187) did not initiate treatment within 14 days from being diagnosed. Pre-diagnosis LTFU was more likely to occur among patients aged 0-14 years (adj PR 1.1, 95% CI: 1.06,1.24), females (adj.PR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12) and those with no record of place of residence (adj. PR=2.7, 95% CI: 2.54, 2.93). In addition, patients with no record of phone contact were more likely to be LTFU, (adj. PR=1.1, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.17). Pre-treatment LTFU was also more likely among patients with no record of place of residence (adj PR 7.1, 95% CI: 5.13,9.85) and those with no record of phone contact (adj PR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.63,2.86). Patients presumed from the HIV clinics were 40% less likely to experience pre-treatment LTFU compared to those in the outpatient departments (adj PR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.41,0.88). Conclusion High proportions of pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment LTFU were observed in this study. This calls for urgent interventions at these time points in the TB care cascade to be able to realise the End TB Strategy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12115-4Tuberculosis, loss to followUp, preDiagnosis loss to followUp, preTreatment loss to followUp, Uganda
spellingShingle Rebecca Nuwematsiko
Noah Kiwanuka
Solomon T. Wafula
Mary Nakafeero
Lydia Nakanjako
Henry Luzze
Stavia Turyahabwe
Juliet N. Sekandi
Lynn Atuyambe
Esther Buregyeya
Pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment loss to follow-up and associated factors among patients with presumed tuberculosis and those diagnosed in Uganda
BMC Health Services Research
Tuberculosis, loss to follow
Up, pre
Diagnosis loss to follow
Up, pre
Treatment loss to follow
Up, Uganda
title Pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment loss to follow-up and associated factors among patients with presumed tuberculosis and those diagnosed in Uganda
title_full Pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment loss to follow-up and associated factors among patients with presumed tuberculosis and those diagnosed in Uganda
title_fullStr Pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment loss to follow-up and associated factors among patients with presumed tuberculosis and those diagnosed in Uganda
title_full_unstemmed Pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment loss to follow-up and associated factors among patients with presumed tuberculosis and those diagnosed in Uganda
title_short Pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment loss to follow-up and associated factors among patients with presumed tuberculosis and those diagnosed in Uganda
title_sort pre diagnosis and pre treatment loss to follow up and associated factors among patients with presumed tuberculosis and those diagnosed in uganda
topic Tuberculosis, loss to follow
Up, pre
Diagnosis loss to follow
Up, pre
Treatment loss to follow
Up, Uganda
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12115-4
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