Addressing patients' unmet needs related to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) care: A qualitative research study from Pune city, India.

Aim: We aimed to identify and describe the unmet needs of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Methods: As a part of larger cross-sectional mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative data) study on pathways to MDR-TB care, here we present the qualitative component. We interviewed 128 (56 men and 72 women) individuals who had MDR-TB, aged > = 15 years, registered and treated under the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) in Pune city of India.

Tuberculosis Pathways to Care and Transmission of Multidrug Resistance in India.

India is experiencing a regional increase in cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Given the complexity of MDR-TB diagnosis and care, we sought to address key knowledge gaps in MDR risk factors, care delays, and drivers of delay to help guide disease control. From January 2018 to September 2019, we conducted interviews with adults registered with the National TB Elimination Program for MDR ( = 128) and non-MDR-TB ( = 269) treatment to quantitatively and qualitatively study care pathways.