itemprop=description content=COVID-19 disrupts TB diagnostic services in South Africa's primary health clinics, highlighting the need for robust systems resilient to future pandemics.
By Pooja Toshniwal PahariaOct 8 2023Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers evaluate the influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on tuberculosis diagnostics at primary health clinics in the eThekwini district of South Africa.
About the study In the present study, researchers investigate the magnitude of COVID-19-related disruption of TB diagnostic services at PHCs in South Africa. The first exposure period reflected the level five lockdown in April 2020, followed by the second exposure period during the first COVID-19 wave peak in July 2020. The third exposure period reflected the second COVID-19 wave peak in January 2021, whereas the fourth exposure period denoted the third COVID-19 wave peak in July 2021. The fifth exposure period was the peak of the fourth COVID-19 wave in December 2021.
A significant recovery was observed in both indicators after the initial COVID-19 wave. TB investigations sustained smaller reductions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; however, they rebounded and exceeded pre-pandemic levels towards the end of the study period. TB diagnostic services at PHCs were considerably affected by the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, with TB case confirmations most adversely affected throughout COVID-19.
By December 2021, the fourth COVID-19 wave showed a 33% reduction in TB investigations. Although monthly trends slightly reduced following the fourth peak, graphical representations indicated more investigations for TB were conducted during this period as compared to before the start of the pandemic.
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