TB prevention activities in the WHO European Region

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Health Policy

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT) is crucial for preventing progression from TB infection to disease.
• The WHO European Prevention and Systematic Screening Initiative to End TB (PASS) aims to scale up TPT management.
• A baseline assessment was needed to monitor TPT intervention scale-up due to the lack of a monitoring system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a baseline assessment of TB preventive activities in the WHO European Region.
• To provide a reference point for monitoring the scale-up of TPT interventions under the PASS initiative.

Main Methods:

• A semi-structured survey with 52 questions was administered.
• The survey was distributed to focal points across 55 countries/territories in the European Region via LimeSurvey.
• Data collection occurred between September and October 2023, covering TPT, systematic screening, and infection control.

Main Results:

• A 51% response rate was achieved with 28 questionnaires returned.
• National policies for TPT and TB screening generally align with WHO guidelines.
• Significant gaps exist in the implementation of TB screening, prevention, and infection control activities.

Conclusions:

• The PASS initiative will target identified areas to accelerate progress towards 2027 UN High-Level Meeting targets for TB prevention.
• A substantial scale-up of efforts, increased investment, and coordinated interventions are necessary.
• Addressing the entire prevention cascade, from population identification to treatment completion, is essential.