Operational barriers to tuberculosis case notification and utilization of NIKSHAY among the private practitioners in Udupi district-A cross-sectional study

Though public sector is at the forefront in providing TB care, a significant proportion of about 40% of the population seek treatment in the private sector(1). On estimation of the same through the drug sales data the estimate is 2-3 times higher. The government of India mandates TB case notification and not notifying a TB case is a punishable offence under IPC section 269 and 270. Yet despite laws and legislations being in place the case notification rates among the private practitioners remains low. The patients seeking treatment from the private practitioners if not notified will not be able to avail the incentives provided for nutritional supplementation during treatment. There is substantial evidence stating the lack of awareness and reluctance among the private practitioners towards TB case notification.

There is a need to understand the operational barriers faced by the private practitioners, if we intend to increase the TB case notification rates among them. It is also imperative to check the awareness of the private practitioners about the incentives provided for TB case notification and treatment and identify issues faced by the them in availing the incentives. This will be help in increasing the case notification by the private practitioners, eventually benefiting the patients in availing the various schemes under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program.