Management and control of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB): addressing policy needs for India

Post Date: 
2016-05-06
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Countries: 
Publication: 
Journal of Public Health Policy
Summary: 

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) challenges TB control efforts because of delays in diagnosis plus its long-term treatment which has toxic effects. Of TB high-incidence countries, India carries the highest burden of MDR-TB cases. We describe policy issues in India concerning MDR-TB diagnosis and management in a careful review of the literature including a systematic review of studies on the prevalence of MDR-TB. Of 995 articles published during 2001-2016 and retrieved from the PubMed, only 20 provided data on the population prevalence of MDR-TB. We further reviewed and describe diagnostic criteria and treatment algorithms in use and endorsed by the Revised National TB Control Program of India. We discuss problems encountered in treating MDR-TB patients with standardized regimens. Finally, we provide realistic suggestions for policymakers and program planners to improve the management and control of MDR-TB in India.

Citation: 
Atre SR, Murray MB. Management and control of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB): Addressing policy needs for India. Journal of Public Health Policy. 2016 May 6. doi: 10.1057/jphp.2016.14.
Collaborators: 
  • Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • Maharashtra Association of Anthropological Sciences, Centre for Health Research and Development (MAAS-CHRD), Pune, India
  • Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India