K S Sachdeva1, R D Deshmukh2, N S Seguy3, S A Nair3, B B Rewari4, R Ramchandran3, M Parmar3, V Vohra1, S Singh5, M Ghedia6, R Agarwal7, A N Shah6, D Balasubramanian3, M Bamrotiya8, R Sikhamani8, R S Gupta8, S D Khaparde8. 1. National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Near Qutub Minar, New Delhi 110030, India. 2. National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Basic Services Division, 6th Floor, Chandralok Building, 36-Janpath, New Delhi 110001, India; World Health Organization, Country Office for India, 532, A Wing, Nirman Bhavan, Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110001, India. Electronic address: drdeshmukh.rajesh@gmail.com. 3. World Health Organization, Country Office for India, 532, A Wing, Nirman Bhavan, Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110001, India. 4. National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Basic Services Division, 6th Floor, Chandralok Building, 36-Janpath, New Delhi 110001, India; World Health Organization, Country Office for India, 532, A Wing, Nirman Bhavan, Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110001, India. 5. National TB Institute, 8, Avalon, Bellary Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560003, India. 6. World Health Organization, Country Office for India, 532, A Wing, Nirman Bhavan, Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110001, India; Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Nirman Bhavan, Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110001, India. 7. Public Health Foundation of India, Plot no 47, Sec 44, Institutional Area Gurgaon, 122002 Haryana, India. 8. National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Basic Services Division, 6th Floor, Chandralok Building, 36-Janpath, New Delhi 110001, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of world's oldest infectious disease and ranks alongside HIV as leading infectious killer. Tuberculosis infection control especially in HIV and TB care facilities has warranted attention after the recent health care-associated outbreaks in South Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the tuberculosis infection control measures implemented by HIV and TB care facilities in five high HIV burden provinces in India. METHODS: Baseline assessment of 30 high burden Antiretroviral centers and TB facilities was conducted during Oct 2015-Dec 2015 by AIC trained staff using a structured format. RESULTS: Thirty HIV and TB care facilities in five high HIV burden provinces were enrolled. Facility infrastructure and airborne infection control practices were highly varied between facilities. TB screening and fast tracking at ART centers is happening at majority of centers however inadequate TB infection control training, poor compliance to administrative and personal protective measures and lack of mechanism for health care workers surveillance need attention. CONCLUSIONS: Local specific TB infection control interventions to be designed and implemented at HIV and TB care facilities including implementation of administrative, environmental and use of personal protective equipment's with the training of staff members. Health care workers surveillance needs to be prioritized considering the rising instances of tuberculosis among Health care workers.
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of world's oldest infectious disease and ranks alongside HIV as leading infectious killer. Tuberculosis infection control especially in HIV and TB care facilities has warranted attention after the recent health care-associated outbreaks in South Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the tuberculosis infection control measures implemented by HIV and TB care facilities in five high HIV burden provinces in India. METHODS: Baseline assessment of 30 high burden Antiretroviral centers and TB facilities was conducted during Oct 2015-Dec 2015 by AIC trained staff using a structured format. RESULTS: Thirty HIV and TB care facilities in five high HIV burden provinces were enrolled. Facility infrastructure and airborne infection control practices were highly varied between facilities. TB screening and fast tracking at ART centers is happening at majority of centers however inadequate TB infection control training, poor compliance to administrative and personal protective measures and lack of mechanism for health care workers surveillance need attention. CONCLUSIONS: Local specific TB infection control interventions to be designed and implemented at HIV and TB care facilities including implementation of administrative, environmental and use of personal protective equipment's with the training of staff members. Health care workers surveillance needs to be prioritized considering the rising instances of tuberculosis among Health care workers.