A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE PERSPECTIVE OF ALLOPATHIC PRIVATE PROVIDERS FOR THEIR ENGAGEMENT IN TUBERCULOSIS CASE NOTIFICATION UNDER RNTCP

Background: In India 80% of patient first seek private health sector for treatment. This necessitates their engagement in TB eradication programme. Private providers engagement remains a challenging area from decades. Appropriate activities are needed to engage large and unorganized private sector to achieve different milestone in TB case notification and identification. Objective: Study to assess the perspective of allopathic private providers for their engagement in tuberculosis case notification under RNTCP. Methods: Cross-sectional mixed method study among allopathic private providers in Palwal District of Haryana. Conveniently 187 allopathic private providers were approached to assess those factors which can increase their involvement in TB case notification. Private providers were interviewed to check their perspective on mandatory TB case notification Results: This study found that providers are well aware about the RNTCP programme. Overall 59 percent of practitioners favoured the incentives and p-value of 0.014 shows incentive is one factors which can increase their involvement in the programme. Continuing Medical Education (55%) and Notification through hard copy (57%) are preferred ways for engagement. Lack of notification knowledge and complicate process are challenging issues for notification. It was observed stigma, government support and coordination, jurisdiction, and inadequate trainings are remained as barrier from years. Conclusion: There is need to address these issues on priority. Capacity building and educational programmes are required to strengthen the private providers. Simplified notification process and addition of incentives can increase involvement from the private sector. Government support and coordination to private sector are required for achieving the aim of TB Free Ind