Protocol for establishing an Adaptive Diseases control Expert Programme in Tanzania (ADEPT) for integrating care of communicable and non-communicable diseases using tuberculosis and diabetes as a case study

State of the art of real-life concentration monitoring of rifampicin and its implementation contextualized in resource-limited settings: the Tanzanian case

The unique medical and socio-economic situation in each country affected by TB creates different epidemiological contexts, thus providing exploitable loopholes for the spread of the disease. Country-specific factors such as comorbidities, health insurance, social stigma or the rigidity of the health system complicate the management of TB and the overall outcome of each patient. First-line TB drugs are administered in a standardized manner, regardless of patient characteristics other than weight. This approach does not consider patient-specific conditions such as HIV infection, diabetes mellitus and malnutrition, which can affect the pharmacokinetics of TB drugs, their overall exposure and response to treatment. Therefore, the 'one-size-fits-all' approach is suboptimal for dealing with the underlying inter-subject variability in the pharmacokinetics of anti-TB drugs, further complicated by the recent increased dosing regimen of rifampicin strategies, calling for a patient-specific methodology. In this context, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), which allows personalized drug dosing based on blood drug concentrations, may be a legitimate solution to address treatment failure. This review focuses on rifampicin, a critical anti-TB drug, and examines its suitability for TDM and the socio-economic factors that may influence the implementation of TDM in clinical practice in resource-limited settings, illustrated by Tanzania, thereby contributing to the advancement of personalized TB treatment.

Seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in Tanzania

The rapid increase in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) poses a major challenge to already strained health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the factors associated with seeking and receiving NCD services in Tanzania, using a household survey and client exit interview data from Kilombero and Same districts. Both districts are predominantly rural, with one semi-urban area called Ifakara town and Same town. Of the 784 household survey respondents, 317 (40.4%), 37 (4.7%), and 20 (2.5%) were diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and other NCDs, respectively, of whom 69% had sought care in the past six months. After controlling for covariates, those enrolled in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and those who received a user fees waiver were more likely to use health services. However, even when NCD patients managed to access the care they needed, they were likely to receive incomplete services. The main reason for not receiving all services at the health facility visited on the day of the survey was drug stock-outs. Among health care users, those registered with the improved Community Health Funds (iCHF) were less likely to receive all prescribed services at the health facility visited than uninsured patients. The findings of this study highlight the need to strengthen both primary care and social health protection systems to improve access to needed care for NCD patients.

Toward a Clinical Decision Support System for Monitoring Therapeutic Antituberculosis Medical Drugs in Tanzania (Project TuberXpert): Protocol for an Algorithm' Development and Implementation

BACKGROUND

The end tuberculosis (TB) strategy requires a novel patient treatment approach contrary to the one-size-fits-all model. It is well known that each patient's physiology is different and leads to various rates of drug elimination. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) offers a way to manage drug dosage adaptation but requires trained pharmacologists, which is scarce in resource-limited settings.

OBJECTIVE

We will develop an automated clinical decision support system (CDSS) to help practitioners with the dosage adaptation of rifampicin, one of the essential medical drugs targeting TB, that is known for large pharmacokinetic variability and frequent suboptimal blood exposure. Such an advanced system will encourage the spread of a dosage-individualization culture, including among practitioners not specialized in pharmacology. Thus, the objectives of this project are to (1) develop the appropriate population pharmacokinetic (popPK) model for rifampicin for Tanzanian patients, (2) optimize the reporting of relevant information to practitioners for drug dosage adjustment, (3) automate the delivery of the report in line with the measurement of drug concentration, and (4) validate and implement the final system in the field.

METHODS

A total of 3 teams will combine their efforts to deliver the first automated TDM CDSS for TB. A cross-sectional study will be conducted to define the best way to display information to clinicians. In parallel, a rifampicin popPK model will be developed taking advantage of the published literature, complemented with data provided by existing literature data from the Pan-African Consortium for the Evaluation of Antituberculosis Antibiotics (panACEA), and samples collected within this project. A decision tree will be designed and implemented as a CDSS, and an automated report generation will be developed and validated through selected case studies. Expert pharmacologists will validate the CDSS, and finally, field implementation in Tanzania will occur, coupled with a prospective study to assess clinicians' adherence to the CDSS recommendations.

RESULTS

The TuberXpert project started in November 2022. In July 2024, the clinical study in Tanzania was completed with the enrollment of 50 patients to gather the required data to build a popPK model for rifampicin, together with a qualitative study defining the report design, as well as the CDSS general architecture definition.

CONCLUSIONS

At the end of the TuberXpert project, Tanzania will possess a new tool to help the practitioners with the adaptation of drug dosage targeting complicated TB cases (TB or HIV, TB or diabetes mellitus, and TB or malnutrition). This automated system will be validated and used in the field and will be proposed to other countries affected by endemic TB. In addition, this approach will serve as proof of concept regarding the feasibility and suitability of CDSS-assisted TDM for further anti-TB drugs in TB-burdened areas deprived of TDM experts, including second-line treatments considered important to monitor.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/58720.

Clinical Audit for Integration of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases at the Primary Health Care Level in Tanzania

Introduction

Poor quality of health care services remains an important challenge in health care delivery systems. Here, we validate clinical audit tools and describe audit results of selected clinical standards related to communicable disease (CD) and non-communicable disease (NCD) integration at the primary health care level.

Methodology

A multi-methods approach, including a retrospective cohort and cross-sectional design, was deployed concurrently at Health Centres. Separate evaluators assessed the Health Centres using an audit tool and the inter-rater/inter-observer reliability was estimated. The extent of adherence to clinical standards was measured in proportions for: infection prevention control, tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis including advanced TB/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the diagnosis of chronic lung diseases, and the bidirectional screening and clinical management of TB and Diabetes Mellitus (DM).

Results

The inter-rater reliability for the clinical audit tools based on 130 individuals' charts was 99.5% (CI:99-100). The total estimated maximum score for infection prevention control was 114 and on average health centres scored 42 (37%). Only 3 (4%) of 80 individuals' medical charts with unexplained productive cough were evaluated for TB. None of the 24 individuals with HIV infection medical charts had vitals measured and only 6 (25%) patients with advanced HIV had a TB test performed, whereas 4 (17%) had a cryptococcal antigen test, and 1 (4%) had a chest radiograph. Also, 24 patients' chart from documented HIV negative with chronic cough had no records of spirometry or peak flowmeter or a chest radiograph. However, a diagnosis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as made in 17 (71%) and 7 (29%), respectively. TB was confirmed for 102 patients among whom only 12(12%) were screened for DM. The DM clinics had no TB presumptive registers. Patients with TB/DM (n=2) had a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement done and received appropriate management.

Conclusion and recommendation

The developed clinical audit tools were reliable and could contribute to quality measurement for metrics-related integration of CD and NCD in Tanzania. Further investigations will determine if the clinical audit tools widely used in cycles can improve the quality of care in health care delivery systems.

Implementing Innovative Approaches to Improve Health Care Delivery Systems for Integrating Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Using Tuberculosis and Diabetes as a Model in Tanzania

Background: Many evidence-based health interventions, particularly in low-income settings, have failed to deliver the expected impact. We designed an Adaptive Diseases Control Expert Programme in Tanzania (ADEPT) to address systemic challenges in health care delivery and examined the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of the model using tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) as a prototype. Methods: This was an effectiveness-implementation hybrid type-3 design that was implemented in Dar es Salaam, Iringa and Kilimanjaro regions. The strategy included a stepwise training approach with web-based platforms adapting the Gibbs' reflective cycle. Health facilities with TB services were supplemented with DM diagnostics, including glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The clinical audit was deployed as a measure of fidelity. Retrospective and cross-sectional designs were used to assess the fidelity, acceptability and feasibility of the model. Results: From 2019-2021, the clinical audit showed that ADEPT intervention health facilities more often identified median 8 (IQR 6-19) individuals with dual TB and DM, compared with control health facilities, median of 1 (IQR 0-3) (p = 0.02). Likewise, the clinical utility of HbA1c on intervention sites was 63% (IQR:35-75%) in TB/DM individuals compared to none in the control sites at all levels, whereas other components of the standard of clinical management of patients with dual TB and DM did not significantly differ. The health facilities showed no difference in screening for additional comorbidities such as hypertension and malnutrition. The stepwise training enrolled a total of 46 nurse officers and medical doctors/specialists for web-based training and 40 (87%) attended the workshop. Thirty-one (67%), 18 nurse officers and 13 medical doctors/specialists, implemented the second step of training others and yielded a total of 519 additional front-line health care workers trained: 371 nurses and 148 clinicians. Overall, the ADEPT model was scored as feasible by metrics applied to both front-line health care providers and health facilities. Conclusions: It was feasible to use a stepwise training and clinical audit to support the integration of TB and DM management and it was largely acceptable and effective in differing regions within Tanzania. When adapted in the Tanzania health system context, the model will likely improve quality of services.

Experiences and perceptions of participants on the pathway towards clinical management of dual tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus in Tanzania

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common comorbidity among people with tuberculosis (TB). Despite the availability of guidelines on how to integrate dual TB/DM in Tanzania, the practice of integration at various healthcare levels is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the participants' experiences and perceptions on the pathway towards clinical management of dual TB/DM.

METHOD

The research was carried out in Dar es Salaam, Iringa, and Kilimanjaro regions between January and February 2020. A qualitative, in-depth interview approach was used to collect participants' experiences and perspectives on the acquisition of dual TB/DM services at various levels of healthcare facilities. The information gathered were coded and classified thematically.

RESULTS

The participants' perception of TB services within the healthcare facilities was positive due to the support they received from the healthcare providers. On the other hand, participants reported difficulty receiving management in various health facilities for each condition in terms of access to dual TB/DM care and access to DM medication. This was viewed as a significant challenge for the participants with dual TB/DM.

CONCLUSIONS

The current disjunction and disruption in healthcare for people with dual TB/DM makes it difficult to access services at various levels of health facilities. For optimal clinical management for people with dual TB/DM, patient-centered strategies and integrated approaches are urgently needed.

Clinical-demographic markers for improving diabetes mellitus diagnosis in people with tuberculosis in Tanzania

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) control is threatened by an increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly in endemic countries. Screening for DM is not routinely implemented in Tanzania; therefore, we aimed to screen for DM at TB diagnosis using clinical-demographic markers.

Methods

Our cross-sectional study recruited TB patients who received anti-TB treatment between October 2019 and September 2020 at health care facilities in three regions from Tanzania. Patients were screened for DM using DM symptoms (polydipsia, polyphagia and polyuria) and random blood glucose (RBG) testing. Patients with a history of DM and those with no history of DM but an RBG ≥ 7.8 mmol/L had point-of-care glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) testing, and were considered to have DM if HbA1c was ≥ 48 mmol/mol.

Results

Of 1344 TB patients, the mean age was 41.0 (± 17.0) years, and 64.7% were male. A total of 1011 (75.2%) had pulmonary TB, and 133 (10.4%) had at least one DM symptom. Overall, the prevalence of DM was 7.8%, of which 36 (2.8%) TB patients with no history of DM were newly diagnosed with DM by RBG testing. TB/DM patients were older than those with only TB (50.0 ± 14.0 years vs 40.0 ± 17.0 years, p < 0.001). Patients with RBG ≥ 7.8 mmol/L were more likely to have pulmonary TB (p = 0.003), age ≥ 35 years (p = 0.018), and have at least one DM symptom (p < 0.001). There was a substantial agreement (Kappa = 0.74) between the on-site glucometer and point-of-care HbA1c tests in detecting DM range of hyperglycemia.

Conclusion

The implementation of clinical-demographic markers and blood glucose screening identified the overall prevalence of DM and those at risk of DM in TB patients. Clinical-demographic markers are independent predictors for DM range hyperglycemia and highlight the importance of further diagnostic testing and early co-management of TB and DM.

Where can Tanzania health system integrate clinical management of patients with dual tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus? A cross-sectional survey at varying levels of health facilities

Objective

Study design

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Anti-infective Drugs: Implementation Strategies for 3 Different Scenarios

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) supports personalized treatment. For successful implementation, TDM must have a turnaround time suited to the clinical needs of patients and their health care settings. Here, the authors share their views of how a TDM strategy can be tailored to specific settings and patient groups.

METHODS

The authors selected distinct scenarios for TDM: high-risk, complex, and/or critically ill patient population; outpatients; and settings with limited laboratory resources. In addition to the TDM scenario approach, they explored potential issues with the legal framework governing dose escalation.

RESULTS

The most important issues identified in the different scenarios are that critically ill patients require rapid turnaround time, outpatients require an easy sampling procedure for the sample matrix and sample collection times, settings with limited laboratory resources necessitate setting-specific analytic techniques, and all scenarios warrant a legal framework to capture the use of escalated dosages, ideally with the use of trackable dosing software.

CONCLUSIONS

To benefit patients, TDM strategies need to be tailored to the intended population. Strategies can be adapted for rapid turnaround time for critically ill patients, convenient sampling for outpatients, and feasibility for those in settings with limited laboratory resources.

Readiness of healthcare facilities with tuberculosis services to manage diabetes mellitus in Tanzania: A nationwide analysis for evidence-informed policy-making in high burden settings

Introduction

Double disease burden such as Tuberculosis and Diabetes mellitus comorbidity is evident and on rising especially in high burden settings such as Tanzania. There is limited information about the availability of tuberculosis/diabetes integrated healthcare services in Tanzania. Therefore, this study explored the availability and examined the readiness of healthcare facilities with tuberculosis services to manage diabetes mellitus in Tanzania.

Methods

We abstracted data from the 2014–2015 Tanzania Service Provision Assessment Survey datasets. The service availability was assessed by calculating the proportion of tuberculosis facilities reported to manage diabetes mellitus. There were four domains; each domain with some indicators for calculating the readiness index. High readiness was considered if the tuberculosis facilities scored at least half (≥50%) of the indicators listed in each of the four domains (staff training and guideline, diagnostics, equipment, and medicines) as is recommended by the World Health Organization-Service Availability and Readiness Assessment manual while low readiness for otherwise.

Results

Out of 341 healthcare facilities with tuberculosis services included in the current study, 238 (70.0%) reported providing management for diabetes mellitus. The majority of the facilities were dispensaries and clinics 48.1%; publicly owned 72.6%; and located in rural 62.6%. Overall, the readiness of tuberculosis facilities to manage diabetes was low (10.8%). Similarly, the readiness was low based on the domain-specific readiness of trained staff and guidelines.

Conclusion

Although the majority of the healthcare facilities with tuberculosis services had diabetes mellitus services the overall readiness was low. This finding provides a piece of evidence to inform the policymakers in high burden and low resource countries to strengthen the co-management of tuberculosis and diabetes.