Public-private mix in tuberculosis control: an assessment of level of implementation in Jos, Plateau State

After the initial gains in Tuberculosis case detection and cure rates, progress became stunted by persisting constraints and challenges in the implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment Short course strategy. This prompted the Stop Tuberculosis partners in 2006 to adopt innovative approaches including the Public-Private Mix, to improve access to and quality of care. This paper assesses the level of Public-Private Mix in Tuberculosis control in Jos, Plateau State.

This was a facility-based, cross sectional study where data from all consenting private health care facilities owned by medically trained personnel and private medical practitioners in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas was collected using structured questionnaires.

Eight (47.1%) of all 17 facilities assessed gave anti Tuberculosis drugs on clinical suspicion of Tuberculosis, 5(29.4%) required Acid Fast Bacillus result and 3(17.6%) referred elsewhere for the Tuberculosis management. Only 6 facilities (35.3%) were microscopy, treatment centres, or both. Ten (58.8%) of the facilities had the Directly Observed Treatment Short course guidelines, but these could be sighted in only 5 (29.4%), while six (35.3%) had Tuberculosis record and referral forms. In 13 (76.5%) of the facilities, no local government Tuberculosis and Leprosy supervisors had ever visited them. Only 30 (57.7%) medical practitioners had access to the Directly Observed Treatment Short course. Thirty two (61.5%) respondents treated Tuberculosis according to the Directly Observed Treatment Short course strategy, but 19 (36.5%) still used the conventional method. Only 22(42.3%) practitioners had ever received any training on the Directly Observed Treatment Short course strategy.

The level of Public-Private Mix in Tuberculosis control in Jos is low.