The Effect of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis Care and Treatment Outcome in Pre-COVID, COVID, and Post-COVID Eras.

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a significant disruption of all healthcare services. Tuberculosis (TB) services were also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic policies. Therefore, this study was planned to observe whether TB services and treatment outcome were affected in pre-COVID, COVID, and post-COVID eras among TB patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Secondary data analysis was carried out from the data obtained from District Tuberculosis Centre. Comparison of TB care data includes notification, diagnosis, treatment services, and outcome for the pre-COVID, COVID, and post-COVID periods.

RESULTS

TB notifications and diagnostic services were significantly hampered during the COVID-19 period as compared to pre-COVID and post-COVID periods ( < 0.05). However, in those diagnosed with TB, treatment was initiated timely and regular follow-up was done by health care workers to ensure treatment adherence, and hence, more cure rate was reported in the study. High mortality during COVID-19 period was found.

CONCLUSION

TB care was significantly restrained during COVID-19 pandemic, and further reclamation of services occurred during the declining phase of COVID-19.