Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2025
06:26
Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFU Determination for Efficient Assessment of TB Vaccine Efficacy and Antigen Presentation Analysis
Published on: July 28, 2023
2.3K
Is aggregated surveillance data a reliable method for constructing tuberculosis care cascades? A secondary data
Elizabeth B White1,2, Raúl U Hernández-Ramírez3,4, Robert Kaos Majwala5
1Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States of America.
PLOS Global Public Health
|March 24, 2023
Summary
Reliable tuberculosis (TB) data is crucial for control efforts. This study found variable agreement between Uganda
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- Accurate tuberculosis (TB) surveillance data is essential for effective TB control programs.
- Routine TB data quality is critical for monitoring progress and improving patient care.
- Assessing data agreement between surveillance and research datasets is key to understanding data reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the agreement between routine TB surveillance data and high-fidelity research data in Uganda.
- To identify variations in data agreement across different TB diagnostic and treatment initiation metrics.
- To explore factors influencing data agreement, including time and facility characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Compared surveillance data with research data from 32 Ugandan health facilities (2017-2019).
- Assessed six key measurements: smear-positive diagnoses, GeneXpert-positive diagnoses, bacteriologically confirmed treatment initiations, clinically diagnosed treatment initiations, and TB patients living with HIV or on antiretroviral therapy.
- Utilized average ratio, 95% limits of agreement (LOA), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), analyzed with linear mixed models.
Main Results:
- Good agreement was observed for smear-positive diagnoses, bacteriologically confirmed treatment initiations, and TB patients living with HIV (CCCs: 0.78, 0.82, 0.82).
- Poor agreement was found for GeneXpert-positive diagnoses (CCC: 0.36), with surveillance data undercounting.
- Agreement varied by measurement and facility, with no clear explanation from facility characteristics or study year.
Conclusions:
- The agreement between TB surveillance data and high-fidelity research data in Uganda is highly variable.
- Routine TB data quality requires further investigation to understand and address sources of variability.
- Improving the quality of routine TB data is crucial for its effective use as a quality improvement tool.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Principles of Disease Surveillance
153
Disease surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. This process integrates data dissemination to entities responsible for preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. Surveillance systems provide crucial information for action, helping public health authorities make informed decisions to manage and prevent outbreaks, ensure public safety, optimize...
153
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
220
Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
220
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
157
In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
157
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
185
Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
185
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
295
Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
295
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
289
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
289