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Keywords:
pulmonary tuberculosis, feasibility study
Abstract
Background: The low detection rate of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Malaysia remains a challenge in the effort to end TB by 2030. The collaboration between private and public health care facilities is essential in addressing this issue. As of now, no private-public health care collaborative program in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) screening exists in Malaysia.
Aim: To determine the feasibility of a collaborative program between private general practitioners (GPs) and the public primary health clinics in PTB screening and to assess the yield of smear-positive PTB from this program.
Methods: A prospective cohort study using convenient sampling was conducted involving GPs and public health clinics in the North-East District, Penang, from March 2018 to May 2019. In this study, GPs could direct all suspected PTB patients to perform a sputum acid fast bacilli (AFB) direct smear in any of the dedicated public primary health clinics. The satisfaction level of both the GPs and their patients were assessed using a self-administered client satisfaction questionnaire. IBM SPSS Statistical Software was used to analyze the data.
Results: Out of a total of 31 patients who underwent the sputum investigation for PTB, one (3.2%) was diagnosed to have smear-positive PTB. Most of the patients (>90%) and GPs (66.7%) agreed to continue with this program in the future. Furthermore, most of the patients (>90%) were satisfied with the program structure.
Conclusion: It is potentially feasible to involve GPs in combating TB. However, a more structured program addressing the identified issues is needed to make the collaborative program a success.
Introduction
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top 10 causes of death globally.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged to end the TB epidemic by 2030.2 Despite the global decline of the disease burden, the moderate rate of decline reported in 2015 at 2% per year2 is too low to achieve the predetermined milestones of the End TB Strategy.1 Hence, the Stop TB Partnership has recommended that countries should strive to achieve an annual case decline rate of 10% in 2025.2 In order to accelerate progress, the Global Plan articulates three people-centered targets called 90-(90)90 targets (reach 90% of all people who need TB treatment, including 90% of people in key populations, and achieve...