Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea: analysis of case notification and treatment-outcome data, 2008–2016

Authors

  • Paul Aia National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea
  • Lungten Zangmo Wangchuk World Health Organization Representative Office for Papua New Guinea
  • Fukushi Morishita World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific
  • Jacob Kisomb National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea
  • Robin Yasi National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea
  • Margaret Kal National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea
  • Tauhid A.b.m Islam World Health Organization Representative Office for Papua New Guinea

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.v9i2.601

Abstract

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has strengthened its surveillance system for tuberculosis (TB) under the National TB Programme. This paper provides an overview of the TB surveillance data at national and subnational levels from 2008 to 2016.

 

There is a consistent increase of case notification from 6184 (93 per 100 000 population) in 2008 to 28 598 (359 per 100 000 population) in 2014; this has stabilized in the last few years with 28 244 (333 per 100 000 population) in 2016. Though the population-screening rate for TB rose from 0.1% in 2008 to 0.4% in 2016, it remained low. Notified cases are dominated by extra-pulmonary TB with 42.4% in 2016. There is high proportion of patients with sputum not done or result not available (NDNA) with the national average of 26.6%. Regional variation of case notification is significant, Southern Region with the highest number and rate.

The proportion of TB in children is very high with 26.7% in 2016. Treatment success rate (TSR) remains low at 73% for bacteriologically-confirmed TB and 64% for all forms of TB in 2016, far below from the global target. Rates of loss-to-follow-up and not evaluated remain high at 19% and 4%, respectively, for all forms of TB.

 

Low population-screening rate, high proportion of NDNA and low TSR indicate that the programme needs major improvement. Subnational analysis helps identify geographical and programmatic areas that need strengthening, and should be further promoted to guide the programme direction in PNG.

Author Biographies

Paul Aia, National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea

National TB Programme Manager

National Department of Health,

Papua New Guinea

Lungten Zangmo Wangchuk, World Health Organization Representative Office for Papua New Guinea

Medical Officer

TB/Leprosy

World Health Organization Representative Office for Papua New Guinea

 

Fukushi Morishita, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific

Technical Officer

World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific

Jacob Kisomb, National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea

Medical Officer, National TB Programme 

National Department of Health,

Papua New Guinea

Robin Yasi, National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea

Medical Officer, National TB Programme 

National Department of Health,

Papua New Guinea

Margaret Kal, National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea

Medical Officer, National TB Programme 

National Department of Health,

Papua New Guinea

Tauhid A.b.m Islam, World Health Organization Representative Office for Papua New Guinea

Medical Officer

TB

World Health Organization Representative Office for Papua New Guinea

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Published

2018-07-04

Issue

Section

Surveillance Report