TY - JOUR

T1 - 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

AU - Mpagama, Stellah G

AU - Byashalira, Kenneth C

AU - Chamba, Nyasatu G

AU - Heysell, Scott K

AU - Alimohamed, Mohamed Z

AU - Shayo, Pendomartha J

AU - Kalolo, Albino

AU - Chongolo, Anna M

AU - Gitige, Catherine G

AU - Mmbaga, Blandina T

AU - Ntinginya, Nyanda E

AU - Alffenaar, Jan-Willem C

AU - Bygbjerg, Ib C

AU - Lillebaek, Troels

AU - Christensen, Dirk L

AU - Ramaiya, Kaushik L

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Humans

KW - Noncommunicable Diseases

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Glycated Hemoglobin

KW - Retrospective Studies

KW - Tanzania/epidemiology

KW - Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology

KW - Tuberculosis/epidemiology

KW - Health Facilities

KW - Delivery of Health Care

U2 - 10.3390/ijerph20176670

DO - 10.3390/ijerph20176670

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37681810

VL - 20

JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

SN - 1661-7827

IS - 17

ER -