Estimation of tuberculosis incidence at subnational level using three methods to monitor progress towards ending TB in India, 2015-2020.

Objectives: We verified subnational (state/union territory (UT)/district) claims of achievements in reducing tuberculosis (TB) incidence in 2020 compared with 2015, in India.

Design: A community-based survey, analysis of programme data and anti-TB drug sales and utilisation data.

Setting: National TB Elimination Program and private TB treatment settings in 73 districts that had filed a claim to the Central TB Division of India for progress towards TB-free status.

Can Patient Navigators Help Potential TB Patients Navigate the Diagnostic and Treatment Pathways? An Implementation Research from India.

Navigating the Indian health system is a challenge for people with tuberculosis (TB) symptoms. The onus of organizing care is on the patient and their families alone. Factors like gender discrimination and opportunity costs further aggravate this.

Active case finding of rifampicin sensitive and resistant TB among household contacts of drug resistant TB patients in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states of India - A systematic screening intervention.

Background: India has the world's highest estimated burden of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). While prevalence of MDR-TB is known to be 2-3% among new TB patients and 12-17% in previously treated patients, programmatic information on the extent of transmission of TB and MDR-TB among household contacts of known MDR-TB patients is scarce. Systematic screening of household contacts of all MDR-TB patients on treatment was implemented as an intervention in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states of India.

Using mobile phones to ensure that referred tuberculosis patients reach their treatment facilities: a call that makes a difference.

Background: Over the last decade, the availability and use of mobile phones have grown exponentially globally and in Cambodia. In the Sihanouk Hospital Centre of Hope(SHCH) in Cambodia about half of all tuberculosis patients referred out to peripheral health facilities for TB treatment initiation or continuation were lost to contact after referral ranging from 19 to 69% between 2008 and 2013. To address this, we implemented a mobile phone-based patient tracking intervention.

Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors among People with Diabetes in South India.

Objective: To assess the sex differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes, visiting the hospital between March-December 2012.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among the type 2 diabetes patients attending M.V.

Is adjunctive naturopathy associated with improved glycaemic control and a reduction in need for medications among type 2 Diabetes patients? A prospective cohort study from India.

Background: With an estimated 65 million Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients, India ranks second in the world in terms of DM burden. The emphasis of current medical practice has been on pharmacotherapy but, despite the best combination therapies, acheiving glycaemic control (reduction of blood sugar to desirable levels) is a challenge. 'Integrated Naturopathy and Yoga'(INY) is an alternative system of medicine that lays emphasis on the role of diet and physical exercise.

A first country-wide review of Diabetes Mellitus care in Bhutan: time to do better.

Background: There is an increasing trend of non-communicable diseases in Bhutan including Diabetes Mellitus (DM). To address this problem, a National Diabetes Control Programme was launched in 1996. There is anecdotal evidence that many patients do not visit the DM clinics regularly, but owing to lack of cohort monitoring, the magnitude of such attrition from care is unknown.

The impact of isoniazid resistance on the treatment outcomes of smear positive re-treatment tuberculosis patients in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Background: Multi drug resistant and rifampicin resistant TB patients in India are treated with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standardized treatment regimens but no guidelines are available for the management of isoniazid (INH) resistant TB patients. There have been concerns that the standard eight-month retreatment regimen being used in India (2H3R3Z3E3S3/1H3R3Z3E3/5H3R3E3; H-Isoniazid; R-Rifampicin; Z-Pyrazinamide; E-Ethambutol; S-Streptomycin) may be inadequate to treat INH resistant TB cases and leads to poor treatment outcomes. We aimed to assess if INH resistance is associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes (death, default, failure and transferred out) among a cohort of smear positive retreatment TB patients registered in three districts of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Tuberculosis management practices by private practitioners in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Setting: Private medical practitioners in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Objectives: To evaluate self-reported TB diagnostic and treatment practices amongst private medical practitioners against benchmark practices articulated in the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care (ISTC), and factors associated with compliance with ISTC.

Design: Cross- sectional survey using semi-structured interviews.

Feasibility and effectiveness of provider initiated HIV testing and counseling of TB suspects in Vizianagaram district, South India.

Background: Though internationally recommended, provider initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) of persons suspected of tuberculosis (TB) is not a policy in India; HIV seroprevalence among TB suspects has never been reported. The current policy of PITC for diagnosed TB cases may limit opportunities of early HIV diagnosis and treatment. We determined HIV seroprevalence among persons suspected of TB and assessed feasibility and effectiveness of PITC implementation at this earlier stage in the TB diagnostic pathway.

How do patients who fail first-line TB treatment but who are not placed on an MDR-TB regimen fare in South India?

Setting: Seven districts in Andhra Pradesh, South India.

Objectives: To a) determine treatment outcomes of patients who fail first line anti-TB treatment and are not placed on an multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) regimen, and b) relate the treatment outcomes to culture and drug susceptibility patterns (C&DST).

Design: Retrospective cohort study using routine programme data and Mycobacterium TB Culture C&DST between July 2008 and December 2009.