Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Katrin Bote WHO SEARO -Neglected Tropical Diseases Katrin Bote 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Prachi Shukla World Health Partners India Prachi Shukla
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Empowering Tuberculosis Patients in slum settings of South Delhi, India: A Strategic Approach toreduce out of pocket expenditure and link TB patients to social insurance scheme |
| Public title | Empowering Tuberculosis Patients in slum settings of South Delhi, India: A Strategic Approach toreduce out of pocket expenditure and link TB patients to social insurance scheme |
| Background | Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death in India. efforts to provide free standardized diagnosis and treatment through the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), the financial burden on TB patients persists, necessitating innovative strategies to reduce catastrophic expenditures. |
| Objectives | This study, set in Sangam Vihar, an urban slum in South Delhi, India, aims to design and implement an intervention to link TB patients who are supported with the Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) and the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, which are initiatives within NTEP to reduce out of pocket expenditure. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) isa social insurance scheme for the poverty population to access free care. However, there is an implementation gap as many eligible individuals face barriers to accessing these benefits, particularly in impoverished urban settings. Therefore, we propose an implementation research study to examine how we could involve Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers, who are trained community volunteers to guide TB patients to access available social benefits. Further, involve local government elected members to facilitate TB patient's access to these social welfare benefits. |
| Study Methods | The study design adopts a pre-post intervention approach, focusing on Sangam Vihar, a slum area in South Delhi. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) 2.0 and evaluated within the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, the study seeks to address financial barriers to TB care, specifically targeting the urban poor. A comprehensive data collection strategy involving organizational readiness assessments, on-site observations, and interviews with both health staff and patients. This will be facilitated by a designated project manager and supported by technical research staff using Epi-collect electronic data capture tools. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | By crafting a tailored intervention package that leverages existing government programs and local elected representatives, this research aims to increase access to TB care benefits among the urban poor, with the potential to improve treatment outcomes. This work contributes to the empirical evidence on reducing out-of-pocket expenditure of TB patients and thus enhance treatment completion. |
| Keywords | tuberculosis, treatment, accessibility, implementation research |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 15-Oct-2024 |
| End Date | 14-Oct-2025 |
| Key Implementing Institution | World Health Partners |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | No |
| India | |
| Research Domain(s) | Communicable Disease Research |
| Research field(s) | Tuberculosis |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Intervention Evaluation Research | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | No |