Losses in the Sputum Specimen Referral Cascade in Mpulungu District, Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Sputum specimen referral cascades in resource-limited settings are characterized by losses of specimens, resulting in delays in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. Mpulungu District Health Office in Zambia conducted a quantitative based cross-sectional study using both primary and secondary data to identify points at which loss of specimens occurred in the sputum referral cascade. Primary data were collected through observations and interviews with 22 TB service providers.