General objective :
The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact, acceptability, and feasibility of food provision to patients with TB under programme conditions.
Specific objectives :
- To assess the performance of the GxAlert system at present (2021-2022) in terms of timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment of MDR/RR-TB patients compared to early Xpert period (2015-2020) and before Xpert period (2009-2014) in Nigeria
- To assess the performance of the GxAlert system in terms of proportion of patients with pre-treatment attrition (no Rx within 30 days of diagnosis) of MDR/RR-TB patients compared to early Xpert period (2015-2020) and before Xpert period (2009-2014) in Nigeria
- To determine the utilization rate of the Xpert machine and GxAlert system according to type and level of care; and identify predictors of suboptimal utilization of the system
- To identify the challenges leading to the notification to enrolment gap for MDR/RR-TB management in Nigeria
Method :
A mixed-methods study was implemented. The study design was cross-sectional for the quantitative component, covering data from all DR-TB patients and alerts issued by the GxAlert system during the periods indicated above.
Interviews and focus groups with healthcare stakeholders (lab focal points and all recipients of GxALERT alerts) on the use of the GxAlert system (convenience sampling) were conducted. Quantitative and qualitative data were summarized.
The study took place in 3 states, 1 of which was insecure.
Progress :
The study has been finalized and a scientific article is currently being written.