Urging health system research: identifying gaps and fortifying tuberculosis control in Pakistan.

Aim: To assess the significance of health system research in reducing the burden of tuberculosis and improving the performance of National Tuberculosis Control Program in Pakistan.

Method: Qualitative and quantitative content analysis of research papers on tuberculosis and influence of the research knowledge on the efficiency of the National Tuberculosis Control Program.

Results: We analyzed 268 research papers on tuberculosis in Pakistan published in the 1960-2002 period, from both national and international perspectives.