Changing trend analysis on early detection of rifampicin resistant tuberculosis patients in southwestern area of China, 2016–2020

Background: There were no data about prevention and control status of RR-TB in a poor area with high burden of TB in China. In order to develop evidence-based RR-TB response strategies and improve enrollment of RR-TB patients in Yunnan province, China, this study was aimed at analyzing the changing trends in the detection and enrollment of RR-TB patients and examining the factors that may have implication on enrollment in treatment. Methods: Data, which includes demographics, screening and testing, and treatment enrollment, was collected from the TB Management Information System. Retrospective data analysis and factors analysis were applied. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Rank sum test and logistic regression analysis were used. Results: From 2016 and 2018, the province had been challenged by low levels of screening, detection and enrollment of RR-TB. During the period between 2019 and 2020, a comprehensive model of RR-TB prevention and control was established in Yunnan, characterized by a robust patient-centered approach for RR-TB care and multiple, targeted interventions through the cascade of care from detection to treatment. In 2020, 93.8% of the bacteriologically positive TB patients were screened for RR-TB, which had been significantly increased by 146.9% from 38.0% in 2016. The interval from initial consultation at RR-TB facility to diagnosis (inter-quartile range) was reduced from 29.5 (1–118) days in 2016 to 0 (0–7) days in 2020. Despite the increasing rates of enrollment of RR-TB patients over the years, non-enrollment of those detected was still high (32.3%) in 2020. The main reasons for non-enrollment identified were refusal of treatment due to financial difficulties, loss to follow-up or death before starting treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that the elderly patients aged 65 or above (OR = 2.7, CI: 1.997–3.614), new patients (OR = 0.7, CI: 0.607–0.867), conventional DST used for confirmatory diagnosis of RR-TB (OR = 1.9, CI: 1.620–2.344) and diagnosis of RR-TB being conducted by the RR-TB care facilities at the prefecture and municipal level (OR = 4.4, CI: 3.608–5.250) have implications on RR-TB non-enrollment. Conclusions: As a comprehensive RR-TB model was implemented in Yunnan with scaled up use of molecular test for rapid detection of RR-TB, initial screening of RR-TB were decentralized to the county- and district-level to strengthen rapid, early detection of RR-TB, achieving a higher coverage of screening in the end. However, there remains a major gap in enrollment of RR-TB. The main barriers include: limited knowledge and awareness of RR-TB and financial burdens among patients, delayed diagnosis, loss to follow-up, difficulties in self care and travel for elderly patients, and limited capacity of clinical management at the lower-level RR-TB care facilities. The situation of the RR-TB epidemic in Yunnan could be improved and contained as soon as possible by continuous strengthening of the comprehensive, patient-centered model with targeted interventions coordinated through multi-sectoral engagement to improve enrollment of RR-TB patients.