Mapping the effectiveness of the community tuberculosis care programs: a systematic review

Tuberculosis is a significant global public health threat, especially in countries with limited resources. To improve tuberculosis care, the World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of considering a TB patient's journey across a variety of connected settings and facilities. A systematic review was conducted to map previously conducted studies to identify existing community TB implementation models, their effectiveness on cost, and treatment outcomes.

Systematic search through various electronic databases MEDLINE, EBSCO (PsycINFO and CINAHL), Cochrane Library, EMBASE, WHO Regional Databases, gray literature, and hand-searched bibliographies was performed. Articles published in English between the years 2000 and 2022 with a substantial focus on community TB implementation models were considered for inclusion. Studies were excluded if the intervention was purely facility-based and those focusing exclusively on qualitative assessments. Two reviewers used standardized methods to screen titles, abstracts, and data charting. Included studies were assessed for quality using ROBINS-I and ROB 2. Analysis of study results uses a PRISMA flow diagram and quantitative approach.

A total of 6982 articles were identified with 36 meeting the eligibility criteria for analysis. Electronic medication monitors showed an increased probability of treatment success rate (RR 1.0-4.33 and the 95% CI 0.98-95.4) in four cohort studies in low- and middle-income countries with the incremental cost-effectiveness of $434. Four cohort studies evaluating community health worker direct observation therapy in low- and middle-income countries showed a treatment success risk ratio of up to 3.09 with a 95% CI of 0.06-7.88. (32,41,43,48) and incremental cost-effectiveness up to USS$410. Moreover, four comparative studies in low- and middle-income countries showed family directly observed treatment success risk ratio up to 9.07, 95% CI of 0.92-89.9. Furthermore, four short message service trials revealed a treatment success risk ratio ranging from 1.0 to 1.45 (95% CI fell within these values) with a cost-effectiveness of up to 350I$ compared to standard of care.

This review illustrates that community-based TB interventions such as electronic medication monitors, community health worker direct observation therapy, family directly observed treatment, and short message service can substantially bolster efficiency and convenience for patients and providers while reducing health system costs and improving clinical outcomes.