M R Masjedi1, L Fadaizadeh, R Taghizadeh Asl. 1. Research Centre of Mycobacteriology, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the case notification rate of patients with tuberculosis (TB) detected by private laboratories, in Tehran, Iran. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: All confirmed TB cases among suspected cases referred to private laboratories for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) examination in 2002-2003 were enrolled in the study. All AFB-positive cases were followed up for notification to the Iranian Ministry of Health (MOH) National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP). RESULTS: Of the total number of cases referred to private laboratories, 646 AFB-positive cases were followed up. Of these, 317 (49.1%) cases were female and 328 (50.8%) were male; the mean age was 52.2 years (SD +/- 21.7). Patients were contacted either at their residence or by telephone: 82 were found to be registered with the MOH while 564 (87.3%) could not be traced. A positive correlation was detected between physician advice for patient referral to health centres and case registration by the MOH (Fisher's Exact test 0.000). CONCLUSION: The private sector in Tehran plays a significant role in TB detection, but there are major gaps in the collaboration between the private and public health systems.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the case notification rate of patients with tuberculosis (TB) detected by private laboratories, in Tehran, Iran. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: All confirmed TB cases among suspected cases referred to private laboratories for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) examination in 2002-2003 were enrolled in the study. All AFB-positive cases were followed up for notification to the Iranian Ministry of Health (MOH) National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP). RESULTS: Of the total number of cases referred to private laboratories, 646 AFB-positive cases were followed up. Of these, 317 (49.1%) cases were female and 328 (50.8%) were male; the mean age was 52.2 years (SD +/- 21.7). Patients were contacted either at their residence or by telephone: 82 were found to be registered with the MOH while 564 (87.3%) could not be traced. A positive correlation was detected between physician advice for patient referral to health centres and case registration by the MOH (Fisher's Exact test 0.000). CONCLUSION: The private sector in Tehran plays a significant role in TB detection, but there are major gaps in the collaboration between the private and public health systems.