Do private providers initiate anti-tuberculosis therapy on the basis of chest radiographs? A standardised patient study in urban India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The initiation of anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) based on results of WHO-approved microbiological diagnostics is an important marker of quality tuberculosis (TB) care. Evidence suggests that other diagnostic processes leading to treatment initiation may be preferred in high TB incidence settings. This study examines whether private providers start anti-TB therapy on the basis of chest radiography (CXR) and clinical examinations.

Methods

This study uses the standardized patient (SP) methodology to generate accurate and unbiased estimates of private sector, primary care provider practice when a patient presents a standardized TB case scenario with an abnormal CXR. Using multivariate log-binomial and linear regressions with standard errors clustered at the provide

SUBMITTER: Svadzian A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10306035 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature