Performance measurement of a Canadian provincial tuberculosis programme: Manitoba, 2008-2012

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Control

Background:

• Performance measurement is crucial for tuberculosis (TB) program improvement.
• Canada lacks a national system for TB program performance analysis.
• This study addresses this gap by evaluating a provincial TB program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the performance of a Canadian provincial TB program.
• Utilize measures and targets from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015).
• Identify areas for enhancing TB control strategies in Canada.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of provincial surveillance data from Manitoba (2008-2010).
• Evaluation of key performance outcomes: treatment completion, early detection, HIV testing, pediatric TB, retreatment, and contact assessment.
• Comparison of outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, and rural vs. urban settings.

Main Results:

• Significant variations in TB program outcomes observed between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations.
• Low reporting rates for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing.
• High rates of pediatric TB among Indigenous populations, particularly in rural areas.
• Better performance in HIV testing and contact investigation in rural compared to urban Indigenous populations.
• Lowest contact assessment rates among foreign-born individuals.

Conclusions:

• The performance measurement approach is viable within the Canadian context.
• The study identifies key areas for TB program improvement in Manitoba.
• Findings can inform national strategies for TB control and elimination.