Assessment of Tuberculosis Drugs and Diagnostics in Katsina Central, Katsina State, Nigeria

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt This study provides insights into the availability and inventory management of tuberculosis (TB) drugs and diagnostics in Katsina Central Senatorial District. It shows concern regarding the availability of drugs for Drug-Sensitive Tuberculosis, which are largely in stock, and those for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, which are mostly unavailable, compromising treatment regimens. The research also shows gaps in diagnostic capacities, particularly in detecting drug-resistant strains, and identifies significant deficiencies in inventory management practices, suggesting a need for targeted interventions to improve TB control efforts in the region. Full Abstract Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest bacterial infections globally, and Nigeria accounts for an estimated 4.4% of the global TB burden.  This study aims to assess the availability and inventory management of tuberculosis drugs and diagnostics at Directly Observed Treatment Short Courses (DOTs) centers in Katsina Central Senatorial District.  A cross-sectional descriptive survey involving qualitative and quantitative methods was carried out using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the USAID logistics system assessment tool.  Ten (10) DOTs centers were selected using a multi-stage sampling method.  Data was collected through direct observation and interviews of the DOTs Officers, Local Government Tuberculosis Supervisors, the Logistics Officer of the Tuberculosis Program, and pharmacists from the State Drugs and Medical Supply Agency.  It was found that all the drugs for the treatment of Drug Sensitive Tuberculosis were in stock at the central store; however, for the treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, only moxifloxacin, clofazimine, and protionamide were in stock.  At the DOTs centres, all the drugs for the treatment of Drug Sensitive Tuberculosis were in stock in 9 (90%) of the facilities, and 6 (60%) of the facilities had access to sputum microscopy tools for the initial diagnosis of tuberculosis.  Some drugs for the treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis were in stock in only 1(10%) of the facilities.  The drugs in stock cannot complete any of the treatment regimens for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis.  Only 3(30%) of the facilities can detect rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis using either Gene Xpert or Trunat, while none of the facilities have the capacity to detect M. tuberculosis resistance to isoniazid and other second-line drugs.  Stock cards were available in all DOTs centres where drugs are available, but 6 (56%) of the facilities update them in real-time, and 7(67%) of the facilities conduct a periodic physical inventory.  First-line drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis were generally available, and the availability of initial diagnostic tools/machines for tuberculosis was fairly adequate.  However, the drugs for the treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis were generally out of stock.  Furthermore, the inventory management of the Tuberculosis commodities needs improvement.