Abstract:
objective Kenya, like many resource-constrained countries, has a single mycobacterial laboratory,
centrally located in Nairobi, with capacity for drug-susceptibility testing (DST) – the gold standard in
diagnosing drug-resistant tuberculosis. We describe and evaluate a novel operational design that
attempts to overcome diagnostic delivery barriers.
methods Review of the public DST programme identified several barriers limiting access: lack of
programme awareness amongst physicians, limited supplies, unreliable transport and no specimen
tracking methods. Staff visited 19 clinic sites in western Kenya and trained healthcare providers in regard
to the novel diagnostics model. Provincial laboratory registries were reviewed to assess utilization of
DST services prior to and after programme modification.
results Onsite training consisted of the inclusion criteria for re-treatment patients – the high-priority
group for DST. Additionally, infrastructural support established a stable supply chain. An existing
transport system was adapted to deliver sputum specimens. Task shifting created an accession and
tracking system of specimens. During the 24 months post-implementation, the number of re-treatment
specimens from the catchment area increased from 9.1 to 23.5 specimens per month. In comparing
annual data pre- and post-implementation, the proportion of re-treatment cases receiving DST increased
from 24.7% (n = 403) to 32.5% (n = 574) (P < 0.001), and the number of multidrug-resistant (MDR)
TB cases increased from 5 to 10 cases.
conclusion The delivery model significantly increased the proportion of re-treatment cases receiving
DST. Barriers to accessing the national MDR-TB surveillance programme can be overcome through an
operational model based on pragmatic use of existing services from multiple partners.