Evaluation of drug resistant tuberculosis prevention and control in Jiangsu, 2016−2020

Objective To evaluate the performance of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) prevention and control in Jiangsu province from 2016 to 2020, and provide evidence for the further improvement of DR-TB prevention and control policy.

Methods A unified field questionnaire was used for the mid-stage evaluation of the investment for the prevention and control of DR-TB, the human resources and laboratory capacity of TB prevention and control institutions and the supply of second-line anti-TB drugs in the TB control program in Jiangsu during the 13^th Five-Year Plan period. The data from the TB Information Management System during this period were collected.

Results The investment for the prevention and control of DR-TB in Jiangsu increased year by year, from 3.16 million yuan (RMB) in 2016 to 44.96 million yuan (RMB) in 2020. The anti-TB forces in centers for disease control and prevention remained stable, the professionals in designated medical institutions increased and the second-line anti-TB drugs have been included in government centralized procurement list. From 2016 to 2020, the proportion of laboratory confirmed pulmonary TB cases increased from 33.50% to 58.33%(trend χ²=12213.323, P<0.001), the drug resistance screening rate in laboratory confirmed TB cases increased from 49.70% to 97.70%(trend χ²=12213.323, P<0.001), the average time for DR-TB diagnosis dropped from 64.75 days to 5.95 days, the treatment rate of rifampicin-resistant TB cases increased from 61.52% to 97.75%, the successful treatment rate of RR-TB increased from 63.86% to 80.84% (trend χ²=29.547, P<0.001)

Conclusion Achievement has been made in the prevention and control of DR-TB in Jiangsu, reaching the target set the TB control program in the “13^th Five-Year Plan” period. which might be attributed to the increased investment, expanded drug resistance screening, application of advanced technology and consistent drug supply.