Tuberculosis preventive treatment in eight SEAR countries - Current practices, implementation challenges and...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• South East Asian countries share infectious disease control challenges with limited cross-border learning.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) established the RESEARCH Platform to foster health collaboration in the region.
• Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT) is crucial for TB elimination efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss current practices, implementation challenges, and operations research priorities for TPT in eight South East Asian Region (SEAR) countries.
• To identify key areas for research and intervention to improve TPT uptake and effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• A workshop on "Capacity Building for TB Research under Programmatic Settings" was conducted.
• Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and open discussions during the workshop.
• Participants from eight SEAR countries contributed to the data collection and discussion.

Main Results:

• Key challenges identified include low beneficiary and provider acceptance, difficulties in ruling out active TB, and supply chain issues for diagnostics and drugs.
• Operations research priorities highlighted include person-centric TPT models, capacity building for latent TB infection care, health system strengthening, and risk communication.

Conclusions:

• Full implementation of TPT guidelines requires coordinated stakeholder action.
• Addressing identified challenges and prioritizing research are essential for maximizing TPT benefits and achieving TB elimination goals.