Effects of COVID-19 on national tuberculosis elimination programme strategies during March to May 2020 on Tumkur district, India

Authors

  • Sanath Kumar Gurram Krishnamurthy Department of Health and Family, Tumkur District, Karnataka, India
  • Basavaraj Poojar Department of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
  • Sharath Burugina Nagaraja Department of Community Medicine, ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20212921

Keywords:

National tuberculosis elimination program, COVID-19, Pandemic, Tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: the nation-wide lockdown due global pandemic has disrupted a vital strategic intervention resulting in overall 60% decrease in presumptive and diagnostic TB cases during the lockdown period.

Methods: A discrete choice experimental (DCE) exploratory operational research conducted during March to May 2020.

Results: Health care services were affected 25% reduction in the outpatient department (OPD) in comparison to the previous year the same period. A gradual reduction in negative sputum cases undergoing chest radiography from 54% to 14%. Due to restricted movement LPA tests have been reduced 25% among the diagnosed TB cases, and private referrals to cartridge based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) services were reduced to 20%.

Conclusions: Health services, including national programmes to combat TB, need to be actively engaged in ensuring an effective and rapid response to COVID-19 while ensuring that TB services are maintained. While experience on COVID-19 infection in TB patients remains limited, it is anticipated that people ill with both TB and COVID-19 may have poorer treatment outcomes, especially if TB treatment is interrupted. TB patients should take precautions as advised by health authorities to be protected from COVID-19 and continue their TB treatment as prescribed.

References

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Tumkur District Population (2019/2020), District Talukas List, Karnataka. Available from: http://www.indiagrowing.com/Karnataka/Tumkur_District. Accessed on 2020 Jun 7.

Government of India. Advisory from Central TB Division. Available from: https://tbcindia.gov.in/WriteReadData/AdvisoryDDStatesUTs.pdf. Accessed on 2020 Jun 7.

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Published

2021-07-26

How to Cite

Krishnamurthy, S. K. G., Poojar, B., & Nagaraja, S. B. (2021). Effects of COVID-19 on national tuberculosis elimination programme strategies during March to May 2020 on Tumkur district, India. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 10(8), 937–942. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20212921

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles