The yield of chest X-ray based versus symptom-based screening among patients with diabetes mellitus in public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk of developing TB, but the best screening algorithm for early detection and treatment of TB remains unknown. Our objective was to determine if combining routine chest X-ray screening could have a better yield compared with symptom-based screening alone.

Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study between September 2020 and September 2021 in 26 public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Global availability of susceptibility testing for second-line anti-tuberculosis agents.

The continued development of new anti-TB agents brings with it a demand for accompanying treatment regimens to prevent the development of resistance. Effectively meeting this demand requires an understanding of the pathogen´s susceptibility to various treatment options, which in turn makes access to antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) a paramount consideration in the global treatment of TB. A 12-question, quantitative and qualitative survey was developed to gauge global capacity and access to AST.

High rates of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among patients with active tuberculosis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) have negative synergistic impact on each other. Global guidelines recommend collaborative efforts to address this synergy, but implementation has been slow. Part of the reason is lack of adequate evidence on the operational feasibility of existing tools and mechanisms of collaboration.

Experiences of introducing new drugs for drug-resistant TB at the ALERT Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2017-2019.

Background: Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) remains a major public health concern. DR-TB patient data from ALERT (All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training Centre) Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, who received bedaquiline (BDQ) and/or delamanid (DLM) containing regimens were analysed.

Results: From 2017 to 2019, 51 DR-TB patients were enrolled.

No universal access to drug-resistant tuberculosis care without engaging all health care providers.

Should the engagement of all health care providers in all aspects of programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (PMDT) become a priority in the national strategic plans for tuberculosis (TB), progress towards universal access to diagnosis, treatment and care of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) would accelerate. This would be especially crucial in countries where the private sector is a significant provider of health services. Proven successful interventions to engage all health care providers and partners in the cascade of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of DR-TB patients need to be urgently scaled up.