Effectiveness of healthcare workers and volunteers training on improving tuberculosis case detection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionTuberculosis is the second most common infectious cause of death globally. Low TB case detection remains a major challenge to achieve the global End TB targets. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether training of health professionals and volunteers increase TB case detection. MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials and non-randomized control trials reporting on the effectiveness of health professionals and volunteers training on TB case detection. We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and reference sections of included articles from inception through to 15 February 2021, for studies published in English. Study screening, data extraction, and bias assessments were performed independently by two reviewers with third and fourth reviewers participating to resolve conflicts. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Meta-analyses were performed with a random effect model to estimate the effectiveness of training intervention on TB case detection. ResultsOf the 2015 unique records identified through our search strategies, 2007 records were excluded following the screening, leaving eight studies to be included in the final systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed that providing training to health professionals and volunteers significantly increased TB case detection (RR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.53, 1.66). There was not a significant degree of heterogeneity across the included study on the outcome of interest (I-2 = 0.00%, p = 0.667). ConclusionsProviding training to healthcare workers and volunteers can increase TB case detection.

Automated summary

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that training for health professionals and volunteers can significantly increase TB case detection.