Structured performance monitoring of TB-care at facility, district and province levels - Pakistan experience.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a more structured process for effective tuberculosis control monitoring.

METHODS: The quasi-experimental exploratory study was conducted from April 2007 to January 2008 in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Eight intervention districts were compared with eight control districts. Intervention consisted of managers using performance monitoring guidelines and tools for monitoring meetings at the facility and district levels. Proportion of tuberculosis suspects among outpatients, registered confirmed cases and patients' default rate were monitored. Semi-structured interviews were done to assess the experience of the participants.

RESULTS: The proportion of TB suspects among outpatient attendees was significantly higher in the intervention districts (95% confidence interval 1.6-1.8%). The pre-registration default also showed difference (p=0.07). The case finding during 9 months of the intervention showed 96.3% increase compared to the 9 months of the preceding year.

CONCLUSIONS: The new process was effective in improving tuberculosis case finding. The process may be used to improve tuberculosis monitoring systems and other such healthcare services.