Tuberculosis services and treatment outcomes in private and public health care facilities in Thailand, 2004-2006.
BACKGROUND
The World Health Organization recommends that national tuberculosis (TB) programs encourage public and private providers to follow the 'International standards for tuberculosis care'. We assessed services and treatment outcomes in TB patients in public and private facilities to inform public-private mix scale-up in Thailand.


METHODS
We prospectively collected data on TB patients in four provinces and the national infectious diseases hospital during 2004-2006. We analyzed services and outcomes among new pulmonary TB patients according to facility type.


RESULTS
Of 7526 patients, 4539 (60%) were treated in small public facilities, 2275 (30%) in large public facilities and 712 (10%) in private facilities. Compared with the private sector, more public sector patients had at least two sputum smears examined, were prescribed a standard anti-tuberculosis regimen and received directly observed therapy; however, public sector facilities also performed suboptimally. Treatment outcomes were unsuccessful for 237 (33%) patients in private facilities, and for respectively 1018 (23%) and 655 (29%) patients in small and large public facilities.


CONCLUSIONS
TB diagnostic and treatment services and outcomes should be enhanced in both public and private facilities in Thailand. Initiatives are needed to improve treatment outcomes and increase the use of microscopy, standardized TB regimens, and directly observed therapy in the public and private sectors.
Chengsorn
N
N
Department of Health, Bangkok Metropolitan Health Administration, Bangkok, Thailand.
Bloss
Emily
E
Anekvorapong
R
R
Anuwatnonthakate
A
A
Wattanaamornkiat
W
W
Komsakorn
S
S
Moolphate
S
S
Limsomboon
P
P
Kaewsa-ard
S
S
Nateniyom
S
S
Kanphukiew
A
A
Varma
J K
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017149:Private Sector; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017150:Public Sector; D012307:Risk Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*