Effects of coronavirus disease pandemic on tuberculosis notifications, Malawi

Nzawa Soko, R. et al. (2021) Effects of coronavirus disease pandemic on tuberculosis notifications, Malawi. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27(7), pp. 1831-1839. (doi: 10.3201/eid2707.210557) (PMID:34152962) (PMCID:PMC8237899)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic might affect tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and patient care. We analyzed a citywide electronic TB register in Blantyre, Malawi and interviewed TB officers. Malawi did not have an official COVID-19 lockdown but closed schools and borders on March 23, 2020. In an interrupted time series analysis, we noted an immediate 35.9% reduction in TB notifications in April 2020; notifications recovered to near prepandemic numbers by December 2020. However, 333 fewer cumulative TB notifications were received than anticipated. Women and girls were affected more (30.7% fewer cases) than men and boys (20.9% fewer cases). Fear of COVID-19 infection, temporary facility closures, inadequate personal protective equipment, and COVID-19 stigma because of similar symptoms to TB were mentioned as reasons for fewer people being diagnosed with TB. Public health measures could benefit control of both TB and COVID-19, but only if TB diagnostic services remain accessible and are considered safe to attend.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: MacPherson, Professor Peter
• Authors: Nzawa Soko, R., Burke, R. M., Feasey, H. R.A., Sibande, W., Nliwasa, M., Henrion, M. Y.R., Khundi, M., Dodd, P. J., Ku, C. C., Kawalazira, G., Choko, A. T., Divala, T. H., Corbett, E. L., and MacPherson, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• ISSN: 1080-6040
• ISSN (Online): 1080-6059
• Published Online: 04 May 2021
• Copyright Holders: Materials published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, including text, figures, tables, and photographs are in the public domain and can be reprinted or used without permission with proper citation.
• First Published: First published in Emerging Infectious Diseases 27(7): 1831-1839
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy