The objectives of this study were to determine the proportion of all tuberculosis (TB) cases that were pulmonary smear-negative, and for these patients to determine how many sputum smears were examined and the time from sputum smear examination to registration in Kiribati and the Marshall Islands, during 2006–2010.The design was a retrospective cross-sectional study involving a record review of national TB and laboratory registers. The results showed that of 2420 TB cases identified, 709 (29%) were registered as smear-negative pulmonary TB. Of the 695 (98%) with information on smear examination, 222 (32%) had no smear recorded, 61 (9%) had one smear, 86 (12%) two smears and 326 (47%) three smears. Among the 473 patients who had at least one smear, 238 (50%) were registered before sputum examination, 131 (28%) within 1 week, 72 (15%) between 1 and 4 weeks, and 34 (7%) >4 weeks after sputum examination. It was concluded that NTPs in Kiribati and the Marshall Islands are diagnosing 29% of all TB patients as smear-negative pulmonary TB. Many patients do not have smears done or are registered before undergoing smear examination. Corrective measures are needed.
Viney, K.; Bissell, K.; Tabutoa, K.; Kienene, T.; Linh, N. N.; Briand, K.; Harries, A.D. Sputum smear examination and time to diagnosis in patients with smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in the Pacific. Public Health Action 2 (4) 133-137.
Sputum smear examination and time to diagnosis in patients with smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in the Pacific