title: Public-private mix in tuberculosis control: an assessment of level of implementation in Jos, Plateau State.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  After the initial gains in Tuberculosis case detection and cure rates, progress became stunted by persisting constraints and challenges in the implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment Short course strategy. This prompted the Stop Tuberculosis partners in 2006 to adopt innovative approaches including the Public-Private Mix, to improve access to and quality of care. This paper assesses the level of Public-Private Mix in Tuberculosis control in Jos, Plateau State.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a facility-based, cross sectional study where data from all consenting private health care facilities owned by medically trained personnel and private medical practitioners in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas was collected using structured questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight (47.1%) of all 17 facilities assessed gave anti Tuberculosis drugs on clinical suspicion of Tuberculosis, 5(29.4%) required Acid Fast Bacillus result and 3(17.6%) referred elsewhere for the Tuberculosis management. Only 6 facilities (35.3%) were microscopy, treatment centres, or both. Ten (58.8%) of the facilities had the Directly Observed Treatment Short course guidelines, but these could be sighted in only 5 (29.4%), while six (35.3%) had Tuberculosis record and referral forms. In 13 (76.5%) of the facilities, no local government Tuberculosis and Leprosy supervisors had ever visited them. Only 30 (57.7%) medical practitioners had access to the Directly Observed Treatment Short course. Thirty two (61.5%) respondents treated Tuberculosis according to the Directly Observed Treatment Short course strategy, but 19 (36.5%) still used the conventional method. Only 22(42.3%) practitioners had ever received any training on the Directly Observed Treatment Short course strategy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of Public-Private Mix in Tuberculosis control in Jos is low.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos Nigeria. P.M.B 2076 Jos, Plateau State Nigeria.jonathandabor@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Daboer
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lar
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Afolaranmi
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Bupwatda
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dani
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents