Determining the minimum data set of the tuberculosis information management system

Tuberculosis is a contagious and potentially fatal infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, leading to widespread clinical infections. To improve the prevention, control, management, and monitoring of tuberculosis, standardized data collection with consistent definitions is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a minimum data set (MDS) as the initial phase in creating a tuberculosis information management system.

This applied-descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in 2023. First, a comprehensive literature review was carried out to determine potential data elements. For this purpose, both Persian and English scientific databases, as well as grey literature such as medical guidelines, medical websites, and patient medical records, were reviewed. Then, a two-step Delphi survey was conducted to determine important data elements to be included in the final tuberculosis MDS. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics in SPSS 21 software.

The MDS of the tuberculosis information management system was divided into two sections: administrative and clinical. The administrative section consisted of 33 data elements, and the clinical section consisted of 90 data elements.

This study provided a practical MDS for tuberculosis that can help collect integrated and inclusive data for information: management systems in this domain. It will be useful for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers to collaborate and prevent, control, and manage tuberculosis, and reduce the burden of disease.