Public private mix model in enhancing tuberculosis case detection in District Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE
To enhance the TB case detection through Public Private Mix (PPM) model by involving private practitioners in collaboration with National TB Control Program, (NTP) in district Thatta.


METHODS
Private practitioners (PPs) of district Thatta involved in treatment of TB cases were requested to participate in the study. All consenting physicians were provided with training on Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) module. In addition to routine cases, TB cases diagnosed by private practitioners through sputum microscopy were also registered with the district TB control program and medicines were provided by NTP. After intervention of PPM-DOTS change in Case Detection Rate (CDR) were estimated.


RESULTS
An increased number of sputum smear positive cases were found in the intervention period--the third quarter of 2007, from 188 to 211 and CDR from 69% to 77%. The improvement in case detection rate was significant as this moderately added to the total number of cases detected from the whole of the district Thatta during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
Public private mix (PPM) model was effective in increasing the CDR of TB cases in district Thatta. It is recommended that the public private partnership model in Tuberculosis case detection needs to be taken on a larger scale so as to reduce the heavy TB burden in the country.
Ahmed
Jameel
J
Department of Community Health Science, Aga Khan University, Pakistan.
Ahmed
Mubashir
M
Laghari
A
A
Lohana
Wasdev
W
Ali
Sajid
S
Fatmi
Zafar
Z
D000328:Adult; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011331:Private Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*