Implementation of a national anti-tuberculosis drug resistance survey in Tanzania.
BACKGROUND
A drug resistance survey is an essential public health management tool for evaluating and improving the performance of National Tuberculosis control programmes. The current manuscript describes the implementation of the first national drug resistance survey in Tanzania.


METHODS
Description of the implementation process of a national anti-tuberculosis drug resistance survey in Tanzania, in relation to the study protocol and Standard Operating Procedures.


RESULTS
Factors contributing positively to the implementation of the survey were a continuous commitment of the key stakeholders, the existence of a well organized National Tuberculosis Programme, and a detailed design of cluster-specific arrangements for rapid sputum transportation. Factors contributing negatively to the implementation were a long delay between training and actual survey activities, limited monitoring of activities, and an unclear design of the data capture forms leading to difficulties in form-filling.


CONCLUSIONS
Careful preparation of the survey, timing of planned activities, a strong emphasis on data capture tools and data management, and timely supervision are essential for a proper implementation of a national drug resistance survey.
Chonde
Timothy M
TM
1National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. tmchondes@yahoo.com
Doulla
Basra
B
van Leth
Frank
F
Mfinanga
Sayoki G M
SG
Range
Nyagosya
N
Lwilla
Fred
F
Mfaume
Saidi M
SM
van Deun
Armand
A
Zignol
Matteo
M
Cobelens
Frank G
FG
Egwaga
Saidi M
SM
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000592:standards*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019451:Information Management; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000995:Antitubercular Agents