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Forse R, Yoshino CA, Nguyen TT, Phan THY, Vo LNQ, Codlin AJ, Nguyen L, Hoang C, Basu L, Pham M, Nguyen HB, Van Dinh L, Caws M, Wingfield T, Lönnroth K, Sidney-Annerstedt K. Towards universal health coverage in Vietnam: a mixed-method case study of enrolling people with tuberculosis into social health insurance. Health Res Policy Syst 2024; 22:40. [PMID: 38566224 PMCID: PMC10985876 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-024-01132-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vietnam's primary mechanism of achieving sustainable funding for universal health coverage (UHC) and financial protection has been through its social health insurance (SHI) scheme. Steady progress towards access has been made and by 2020, over 90% of the population were enrolled in SHI. In 2022, as part of a larger transition towards the increased domestic financing of healthcare, tuberculosis (TB) services were integrated into SHI. This change required people with TB to use SHI for treatment at district-level facilities or to pay out of pocket for services. This study was conducted in preparation for this transition. It aimed to understand more about uninsured people with TB, assess the feasibility of enrolling them into SHI, and identify the barriers they faced in this process. METHODS A mixed-method case study was conducted using a convergent parallel design between November 2018 and January 2022 in ten districts of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Quantitative data were collected through a pilot intervention that aimed to facilitate SHI enrollment for uninsured individuals with TB. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 34 participants, who were purposively sampled for maximum variation. Qualitative data were analyzed through an inductive approach and themes were identified through framework analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data sources were triangulated. RESULTS We attempted to enroll 115 uninsured people with TB into SHI; 76.5% were able to enroll. On average, it took 34.5 days to obtain a SHI card and it cost USD 66 per household. The themes indicated that a lack of knowledge, high costs for annual premiums, and the household-based registration requirement were barriers to SHI enrollment. Participants indicated that alternative enrolment mechanisms and greater procedural flexibility, particularly for undocumented people, is required to achieve full population coverage with SHI in urban centers. CONCLUSIONS Significant addressable barriers to SHI enrolment for people affected by TB were identified. A quarter of individuals remained unable to enroll after receiving enhanced support due to lack of required documentation. The experience gained during this health financing transition is relevant for other middle-income countries as they address the provision of financial protection for the treatment of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Forse
- Friends for International TB Relief, Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Department of Global Public Health, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Clara Akie Yoshino
- Department of Global Public Health, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Luan N Q Vo
- Friends for International TB Relief, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Global Public Health, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrew J Codlin
- Friends for International TB Relief, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Global Public Health, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maxine Caws
- Centre for TB Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Birat Nepal Medical Trust, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Tom Wingfield
- Department of Global Public Health, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for TB Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Knut Lönnroth
- Department of Global Public Health, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristi Sidney-Annerstedt
- Department of Global Public Health, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Forse R, Nguyen TT, Dam T, Vo LNQ, Codlin AJ, Caws M, Minh HDT, Nguyen LH, Nguyen HB, Nguyen NV, Lönnroth K, Annerstedt KS. A qualitative assessment on the acceptability of providing cash transfers and social health insurance for tuberculosis-affected families in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0002439. [PMID: 38055709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal's targets of universal health coverage (UHC) and poverty reduction, interventions are required that strengthen and harmonize both UHC and social protection. Vietnam is committed to achieving financial protection and over 90% of the general population has enrolled in its social health insurance (SHI) scheme. However, an estimated 63% of tuberculosis (TB)-affected households in Vietnam still face catastrophic costs and little is known about the optimal strategies to mitigate the costs of TB care for vulnerable families. This study assessed the acceptability of a social protection package containing cash transfers and SHI using individual interviews (n = 19) and focus group discussions (n = 3 groups). Interviews were analyzed through framework analysis. The study's main finding indicated that both conditional and unconditional cash transfers paired with SHI were acceptable, across six dimensions of acceptability. Cash transfers were considered beneficial for mitigating out-of-pocket expenditure, increasing TB treatment adherence, and improving mental health and general well-being, but the value provided was inadequate to fully alleviate the economic burden of the illness. The conditionality of the cash transfers was not viewed by participants as inappropriate, but it increased the workload of the TB program, which brought into question the feasibility of scale-up. SHI was viewed as a necessity by almost all participants, but people with TB questioned the quality of care received when utilizing it for auxiliary TB services. Access to multiple sources of social protection was deemed necessary to fully offset the costs of TB care. Additional research is needed to assess the impact of cash transfer interventions on health and economic outcomes in order to create an enabling policy environment for scale-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Forse
- Friends for International TB Relief, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Thu Dam
- Friends for International TB Relief, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Luan Nguyen Quang Vo
- Friends for International TB Relief, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrew James Codlin
- Friends for International TB Relief, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maxine Caws
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Hoa Binh Nguyen
- National Lung Hospital/National TB Control Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nhung Viet Nguyen
- National Lung Hospital/National TB Control Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Knut Lönnroth
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristi Sidney Annerstedt
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
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Pham TAM, Forse R, Codlin AJ, Phan THY, Nguyen TT, Nguyen N, Vo LNQ, Dat PT, Minh HDT, Nguyen LH, Nguyen HB, Nguyen NV, Bodfish M, Lönnroth K, Wingfield T, Annerstedt KS. Determinants of catastrophic costs among households affected by multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam: a prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2372. [PMID: 38042797 PMCID: PMC10693707 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17078-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, most people with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and their households experience catastrophic costs of illness, diagnosis, and care. However, the factors associated with experiencing catastrophic costs are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with catastrophic costs incurrence among MDR-TB-affected households in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam. METHODS Between October 2020 and April 2022, data were collected using a locally-adapted, longitudinal WHO TB Patient Cost Survey in ten districts of HCMC. Ninety-four people with MDR-TB being treated with a nine-month TB regimen were surveyed at three time points: after two weeks of treatment initiation, completion of the intensive phase and the end of the treatment (approximately five and 10 months post-treatment initiation respectively). The catastrophic costs threshold was defined as total TB-related costs exceeding 20% of annual pre-TB household income. Logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with experiencing catastrophic costs. A sensitivity analysis examined the prevalence of catastrophic costs using alternative thresholds and cost estimation approaches. RESULTS Most participants (81/93 [87%]) experienced catastrophic costs despite the majority 86/93 (93%) receiving economic support through existing social protection schemes. Among participant households experiencing and not experiencing catastrophic costs, median household income was similar before MDR-TB treatment. However, by the end of MDR-TB treatment, median household income was lower (258 [IQR: 0-516] USD vs. 656 [IQR: 462-989] USD; p = 0.003), and median income loss was higher (2838 [IQR: 1548-5418] USD vs. 301 [IQR: 0-824] USD; p < 0.001) amongst the participant households who experienced catastrophic costs. Being the household's primary income earner before MDR-TB treatment (aOR = 11.2 [95% CI: 1.6-80.5]), having a lower educational level (aOR = 22.3 [95% CI: 1.5-344.1]) and becoming unemployed at the beginning of MDR-TB treatment (aOR = 35.6 [95% CI: 2.7-470.3]) were associated with experiencing catastrophic costs. CONCLUSION Despite good social protection coverage, most people with MDR-TB in HCMC experienced catastrophic costs. Incurrence of catastrophic costs was independently associated with being the household's primary income earner or being unemployed. Revision and expansion of strategies to mitigate TB-related catastrophic costs, in particular avoiding unemployment and income loss, are urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Anh Mai Pham
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Department of Global Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rachel Forse
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Department of Global Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Friends for International TB Relief, 1/21 Le Van Luong, Nhan Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
| | - Andrew J Codlin
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Department of Global Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Friends for International TB Relief, 1/21 Le Van Luong, Nhan Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Thi Hoang Yen Phan
- Centre for Development of Community Health Initiatives, 1/21 Le Van Luong, Nhan Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Thanh Thi Nguyen
- Centre for Development of Community Health Initiatives, 1/21 Le Van Luong, Nhan Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Nga Nguyen
- Friends for International TB Relief, 1/21 Le Van Luong, Nhan Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Luan Nguyen Quang Vo
- Centre for Development of Community Health Initiatives, 1/21 Le Van Luong, Nhan Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Phan Thuong Dat
- Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, 120 Hong Bang, Ward12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Ha Dang Thi Minh
- Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, 120 Hong Bang, Ward12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Lan Huu Nguyen
- Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, 120 Hong Bang, Ward12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Hoa Binh Nguyen
- National Lung Hospital/National TB Control Programme, 463 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vinh Phu, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Nhung Viet Nguyen
- National Lung Hospital/National TB Control Programme, 463 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vinh Phu, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Miranda Bodfish
- CDC Foundation, 600 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1000, Atlanta, USA
| | - Knut Lönnroth
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Department of Global Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tom Wingfield
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Department of Global Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Sciences and International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, Merseyside, UK
- Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L7 8XP, Merseyside, UK
| | - Kristi Sidney Annerstedt
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Department of Global Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Vo LNQ, Tran TTP, Pham HQ, Nguyen HT, Doan HT, Truong HT, Nguyen HB, Nguyen HV, Pham HT, Dong TTT, Codlin A, Forse R, Mac TH, Nguyen NV. Comparative performance evaluation of QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB and tuberculin skin test for diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in Viet Nam. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15209. [PMID: 37709844 PMCID: PMC10502094 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42515-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Current WHO-recommended diagnostic tools for tuberculosis infection (TBI) have well-known limitations and viable alternatives are urgently needed. We compared the diagnostic performance and accuracy of the novel QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB assay (QIAreach; index) to the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus assay (QFT-Plus; reference). The sample included 261 adults (≥ 18 years) recruited at community-based TB case finding events. Of these, 226 underwent Tuberculin Skin Tests and 200 returned for interpretation (TST; comparator). QIAreach processing and TST reading were completed at lower-level healthcare facilities. We conducted matched-pair comparisons for QIAreach and TST with QFT-Plus, calculated sensitivity, specificity and area under a receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), and analyzed concordant-/discordant-pair interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels. QIAreach sensitivity and specificity were 98.5% and 72.3%, respectively, for an AUC of 0.85. TST sensitivity (53.2%) at a 5 mm induration threshold was significantly below QIAreach, while specificity (82.4%) was statistically equivalent. The corrected mean IFN-γ level of 0.08 IU/ml and corresponding empirical threshold (0.05) of false-positive QIAreach results were significantly lower than the manufacturer-recommended QFT-Plus threshold (≥ 0.35 IU/ml). Despite QIAreach's higher sensitivity at equivalent specificity to TST, the high number of false positive results and low specificity limit its utility and highlight the continued need to expand the diagnostic toolkit for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Nguyen Quang Vo
- Friends for International TB Relief, 6th Floor, 1/21 Le Van Luong St., Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Thi Thu Phuong Tran
- Friends for International TB Relief, 6th Floor, 1/21 Le Van Luong St., Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Hai Quang Pham
- Friends for International TB Relief, 6th Floor, 1/21 Le Van Luong St., Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Han Thi Nguyen
- Friends for International TB Relief, 6th Floor, 1/21 Le Van Luong St., Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Ha Thu Doan
- National Lung Hospital, 463 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vinh Phuc, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Huyen Thanh Truong
- National Lung Hospital, 463 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vinh Phuc, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Hoa Binh Nguyen
- National Lung Hospital, 463 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vinh Phuc, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Hung Van Nguyen
- National Lung Hospital, 463 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vinh Phuc, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Hai Thanh Pham
- Friends for International TB Relief, 6th Floor, 1/21 Le Van Luong St., Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Thuy Thi Thu Dong
- Friends for International TB Relief, 6th Floor, 1/21 Le Van Luong St., Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Andrew Codlin
- Friends for International TB Relief, 6th Floor, 1/21 Le Van Luong St., Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rachel Forse
- Friends for International TB Relief, 6th Floor, 1/21 Le Van Luong St., Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tuan Huy Mac
- Hai Phong Lung Hospital, Tran Tat Van, Trang Minh, Kien An, Hai Phong, Viet Nam
| | - Nhung Viet Nguyen
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaboration Centre on Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
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Smith I, Forse R, Sidney Annerstedt K, Thanh NT, Nguyen L, Phan THY, Nguyen H, Codlin A, Vo LNQ, Nguyen NTT, Khan A, Creswell J, Pham Huy M, Basu L, Lönnroth K, Nguyen BH, Nguyen VN, Atkins S. What matters most? A qualitative study exploring priorities for supportive interventions for people with tuberculosis in urban Viet Nam. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e076076. [PMID: 37612116 PMCID: PMC10450053 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The health and economic burden of tuberculosis (TB) in urban Viet Nam is high. Social protection and support interventions can improve treatment outcomes and reduce costs. However, evidence regarding optimal strategies in this context is lacking. This study aimed to increase understanding of what people with TB and healthcare providers (HCPs) perceive as important to improve TB treatment outcomes and reduce costs. METHODS We conducted qualitative focus group discussions (seven groups, n=30) and key informant interviews (n=4) with people with drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant TB and HCPs in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. Topic guides covered perspectives on and prioritisation of different forms of social protection and support. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and interpreted using a Framework for Transformative Social Protection. RESULTS We identified three themes and seven subthemes. The first theme, 'Existing financial safety nets are essential, but could go further to support people affected by TB', highlights that support to meet the medical costs of TB treatment and flexible cash transfers are a priority for people with TB and HCPs. The second, 'It is important to promote "physical and spiritual health" during TB treatment', demonstrates that extended psychosocial and nutritional support would encourage people with TB during their treatment. The third, 'Accessibility and acceptability are critical in designing social support interventions for people with TB', shows the importance of ensuring that support is accessible and proportional to the needs of people with TB and their families. CONCLUSIONS Accessible interventions that incorporate financial risk protection, nutritional and psychosocial support matter most to people with TB and HCPs in urban Viet Nam to improve their treatment outcomes and reduce catastrophic costs. This study can inform the design of stronger person-centred interventions to advance progress towards the goals of the WHO's End TB Strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Smith
- Department of Global Public Health Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rachel Forse
- Department of Global Public Health Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Kristi Sidney Annerstedt
- Department of Global Public Health Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nguyen Thi Thanh
- Centre for Development of Community Health Initiatives, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | | | - Thi Hoang Yen Phan
- Centre for Development of Community Health Initiatives, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Han Nguyen
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Andrew Codlin
- Department of Global Public Health Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Luan Nguyen Quang Vo
- Department of Global Public Health Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | | | - Amera Khan
- Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Knut Lönnroth
- Department of Global Public Health Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Binh Hoa Nguyen
- National TB Program, National Lung Hospital, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | | | - Salla Atkins
- Department of Global Public Health Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Medicine and Tuberculosis, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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Vo LNQ, Nguyen VN, Nguyen NTT, Dong TTT, Codlin A, Forse R, Truong HT, Nguyen HB, Dang HTM, Truong VV, Nguyen LH, Mac TH, Le PT, Tran KT, Ndunda N, Caws M, Creswell J. Optimising diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis infection in community and primary care settings in two urban provinces of Viet Nam: a cohort study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071537. [PMID: 36759036 PMCID: PMC9923314 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To end tuberculosis (TB), the vast reservoir of 1.7-2.3 billion TB infections (TBIs) must be addressed, but achieving global TB preventive therapy (TPT) targets seems unlikely. This study assessed the feasibility of using interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) at lower healthcare levels and the comparative performance of 3-month and 9-month daily TPT regimens (3HR/9H). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION This cohort study was implemented in two provinces of Viet Nam from May 2019 to September 2020. Participants included household contacts (HHCs), vulnerable community members and healthcare workers (HCWs) recruited at community-based TB screening events or HHC investigations at primary care centres, who were followed up throughout TPT. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES We constructed TBI care cascades describing indeterminate and positivity rates to assess feasibility, and initiation and completion rates to assess performance. We fitted mixed-effects logistic and stratified Cox models to identify factors associated with IGRA positivity and loss to follow-up (LTFU). RESULTS Among 5837 participants, the indeterminate rate was 0.8%, and 30.7% were IGRA positive. TPT initiation and completion rates were 63.3% (3HR=61.2% vs 9H=63.6%; p=0.147) and 80.6% (3HR=85.7% vs 9H=80.0%; p=0.522), respectively. Being male (adjusted OR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.28 to 1.78; p<0.001), aged 45-59 years (1.30; 1.05 to 1.60; p=0.018) and exhibiting TB-related abnormalities on X-ray (2.23; 1.38 to 3.61; p=0.001) were associated with positive IGRA results. Risk of IGRA positivity was lower in periurban districts (0.55; 0.36 to 0.85; p=0.007), aged <15 years (0.18; 0.13 to 0.26; p<0.001), aged 15-29 years (0.56; 0.42 to 0.75; p<0.001) and HCWs (0.34; 0.24 to 0.48; p<0.001). The 3HR regimen (adjusted HR=3.83; 1.49 to 9.84; p=0.005) and HCWs (1.38; 1.25 to 1.53; p<0.001) showed higher hazards of LTFU. CONCLUSION Providing IGRAs at lower healthcare levels is feasible and along with shorter regimens may expand access and uptake towards meeting TPT targets, but scale-up may require complementary advocacy and education for beneficiaries and providers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Andrew Codlin
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Rachel Forse
- TB Programs, Friends for International TB Relief, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
- Department of Global Public Health, The Health and Social Protection Action Research & Knowledge Sharing network (SPARKS), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Khoa Tu Tran
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | | | - Maxine Caws
- Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Birat Nepal Medical Trust, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Vo LNQ, Codlin A, Ngo TD, Dao TP, Dong TTT, Mo HTL, Forse R, Nguyen TT, Cung CV, Nguyen HB, Nguyen NV, Nguyen VV, Tran NT, Nguyen GH, Qin ZZ, Creswell J. Early Evaluation of an Ultra-Portable X-ray System for Tuberculosis Active Case Finding. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:163. [PMID: 34564547 PMCID: PMC8482270 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6030163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray screening is an important tool in tuberculosis (TB) prevention and care, but access has historically been restricted by its immobile nature. As recent advancements have improved the portability of modern X-ray systems, this study represents an early evaluation of the safety, image quality and yield of using an ultra-portable X-ray system for active case finding (ACF). We reported operational and radiological performance characteristics and compared image quality between the ultra-portable and two reference systems. Image quality was rated by three human readers and by an artificial intelligence (AI) software. We deployed the ultra-portable X-ray alongside the reference system for community-based ACF and described TB care cascades for each system. The ultra-portable system operated within advertised specifications and radiologic tolerances, except on X-ray capture capacity, which was 58% lower than the reported maximum of 100 exposures per charge. The mean image quality rating from radiologists for the ultra-portable system was significantly lower than the reference (3.71 vs. 3.99, p < 0.001). However, we detected no significant differences in TB abnormality scores using the AI software (p = 0.571), nor in any of the steps along the TB care cascade during our ACF campaign. Despite some shortcomings, ultra-portable X-ray systems have significant potential to improve case detection and equitable access to high-quality TB care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Nguyen Quang Vo
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam; (A.C.); (T.T.T.D.); (R.F.)
| | - Andrew Codlin
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam; (A.C.); (T.T.T.D.); (R.F.)
| | - Thuc Doan Ngo
- IRD VN, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.D.N.); (T.P.D.); (H.T.L.M.); (N.T.T.); (G.H.N.)
| | - Thang Phuoc Dao
- IRD VN, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.D.N.); (T.P.D.); (H.T.L.M.); (N.T.T.); (G.H.N.)
| | - Thuy Thi Thu Dong
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam; (A.C.); (T.T.T.D.); (R.F.)
| | - Huong Thi Lan Mo
- IRD VN, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.D.N.); (T.P.D.); (H.T.L.M.); (N.T.T.); (G.H.N.)
| | - Rachel Forse
- Friends for International TB Relief, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam; (A.C.); (T.T.T.D.); (R.F.)
| | | | - Cong Van Cung
- National Lung Hospital, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam; (C.V.C.); (H.B.N.); (N.V.N.)
| | - Hoa Binh Nguyen
- National Lung Hospital, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam; (C.V.C.); (H.B.N.); (N.V.N.)
| | - Nhung Viet Nguyen
- National Lung Hospital, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam; (C.V.C.); (H.B.N.); (N.V.N.)
| | | | - Ngan Thi Tran
- IRD VN, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.D.N.); (T.P.D.); (H.T.L.M.); (N.T.T.); (G.H.N.)
| | - Giang Hoai Nguyen
- IRD VN, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.D.N.); (T.P.D.); (H.T.L.M.); (N.T.T.); (G.H.N.)
| | - Zhi Zhen Qin
- Stop TB Partnership, 1218 Geneva, Switzerland; (Z.Z.Q.); (J.C.)
| | - Jacob Creswell
- Stop TB Partnership, 1218 Geneva, Switzerland; (Z.Z.Q.); (J.C.)
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Tran PB, Hensing G, Wingfield T, Atkins S, Sidney Annerstedt K, Kazibwe J, Tomeny E, Biermann O, Thorpe J, Forse R, Lönnroth K. Income security during public health emergencies: the COVID-19 poverty trap in Vietnam. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e002504. [PMID: 32540965 PMCID: PMC7299029 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Bich Tran
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Gunnel Hensing
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Tom Wingfield
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences and International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Salla Atkins
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- New Social Research and Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Joseph Kazibwe
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ewan Tomeny
- Centre for Applied Health Research & Delivery, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Olivia Biermann
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jennifer Thorpe
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rachel Forse
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- TB Programs, Friends for International TB Relief, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Knut Lönnroth
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Do Thu T, Kumar AMV, Ramaswamy G, Htun T, Le Van H, Nguyen Quang Vo L, Thi Thu TD, Codlin A, Forse R, Crewsell J, Nguyen Thanh H, Nguyen Viet H, Bui Van H, Nguyen Binh H, Nguyen Viet N. An Innovative Public-Private Mix Model for Improving Tuberculosis Care in Vietnam: How Well are We Doing? Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5010026. [PMID: 32075073 PMCID: PMC7157739 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve tuberculosis (TB) care among individuals attending a private tertiary care hospital in Vietnam, an innovative private sector engagement model was implemented from June to December 2018. This included: (i) Active facility-based screening of all adults for TB symptoms (and chest x-ray (CXR) for those with symptoms) by trained and incentivized providers, with on-site diagnostic testing or transport of sputum samples, (ii) a mobile application to reduce dropout in the care cascade and (iii) enhanced follow-up care by community health workers. We conducted a cohort study using project and routine surveillance data for evaluation. Among 52,078 attendees, 368 (0.7%) had symptoms suggestive of TB and abnormalities on CXR. Among them, 299 (81%) were tested and 103 (34.4%) were diagnosed with TB. In addition, 195 individuals with normal CXR were indicated for TB testing by attending clinicians, of whom, seven were diagnosed with TB. Of the 110 TB patients diagnosed, 104 (95%) were initiated on treatment and 97 (93%) had a successful treatment outcome. Given the success of this model, the National TB Programme is considering to scale it up nationwide after undertaking a detailed cost-effectiveness analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuong Do Thu
- Vietnam Integrated Center for Tuberculosis and Respirology Research, Vietnam National Lung Hospital, Vietnam Tuberculosis Control Programme, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (H.L.V.); (H.N.V.); (H.B.V.); (H.N.B.); (N.N.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +84-343007914 (ext. 235); Fax: +84-438326162
| | - Ajay M. V. Kumar
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, South-East Asia Office, New Delhi 110016, India;
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris 75006, France
- Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru 575018, India
| | - Gomathi Ramaswamy
- National Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research on Anemia Control, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India;
| | - Thurain Htun
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Mandalay 05021, Myanmar;
| | - Hoi Le Van
- Vietnam Integrated Center for Tuberculosis and Respirology Research, Vietnam National Lung Hospital, Vietnam Tuberculosis Control Programme, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (H.L.V.); (H.N.V.); (H.B.V.); (H.N.B.); (N.N.V.)
| | - Luan Nguyen Quang Vo
- Friends for International Tuberculosis Relief, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (L.N.Q.V.); (T.D.T.T.); (A.C.); (R.F.)
| | - Thuy Dong Thi Thu
- Friends for International Tuberculosis Relief, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (L.N.Q.V.); (T.D.T.T.); (A.C.); (R.F.)
| | - Andrew Codlin
- Friends for International Tuberculosis Relief, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (L.N.Q.V.); (T.D.T.T.); (A.C.); (R.F.)
| | - Rachel Forse
- Friends for International Tuberculosis Relief, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (L.N.Q.V.); (T.D.T.T.); (A.C.); (R.F.)
| | | | - Hoi Nguyen Thanh
- Haiphong International General Hospital, Haiphong 180000, Vietnam;
| | - Hai Nguyen Viet
- Vietnam Integrated Center for Tuberculosis and Respirology Research, Vietnam National Lung Hospital, Vietnam Tuberculosis Control Programme, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (H.L.V.); (H.N.V.); (H.B.V.); (H.N.B.); (N.N.V.)
| | - Huy Bui Van
- Vietnam Integrated Center for Tuberculosis and Respirology Research, Vietnam National Lung Hospital, Vietnam Tuberculosis Control Programme, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (H.L.V.); (H.N.V.); (H.B.V.); (H.N.B.); (N.N.V.)
| | - Hoa Nguyen Binh
- Vietnam Integrated Center for Tuberculosis and Respirology Research, Vietnam National Lung Hospital, Vietnam Tuberculosis Control Programme, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (H.L.V.); (H.N.V.); (H.B.V.); (H.N.B.); (N.N.V.)
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris 75006, France
- Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Nhung Nguyen Viet
- Vietnam Integrated Center for Tuberculosis and Respirology Research, Vietnam National Lung Hospital, Vietnam Tuberculosis Control Programme, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (H.L.V.); (H.N.V.); (H.B.V.); (H.N.B.); (N.N.V.)
- Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
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Apour C, Bell S, Forse R. Immunologic effects of national cholesterol education panel step-2 diets with and without fish-derived N-3 fatty acid enrichment. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1994. [DOI: 10.1177/0148607194018004381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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