TB CARE I Quarterly Report January-March 2013

The project's overall work plan completion rate remained at 100% throughout the quarter. Key activities included the production of audiovisual materials to raise awareness and reduce stigma around TB, as well as the refurbishment of 11 TB sites, including two MDR-TB clinics. The project's audiovisual materials, developed in collaboration with the USAID Mission, the NTP, Global Fund, PAHO, and other TB partners, were used to create four videos in two formats. These videos were showcased at the World TB Day ceremony and will be broadcast nationwide as part of a three-month campaign. The project also developed a manual for the implementation of Stop TB Committees and a manual for Photovoices, which were finalized in January and February 2013. TB CARE I's technical areas, including Universal and Early Access, Infection Control, PMDT, Health Systems Strengthening, and M&E, OR and Surveillance, all achieved 100% completion rates. The project's quarterly technical outcome report highlighted several key results, including a 2.5% increase in TB suspects detected in project provinces and areas of Santo Domingo, compared to the previous year. The number of TB cases reported in these areas also showed a slight decrease, from 3,732 in 2012 to 3,035 in the first nine months of 2013. The project's efforts to improve TB services and increase access to care were also reflected in the number of people calling the TB hotline, which decreased from 2,000 in 2012 to 637 in the first quarter of 2013. However, the project's audiovisual materials and other awareness-raising activities are expected to increase the number of calls in the coming months. The project also reported several publications and broadcasts related to TB, including articles in local newspapers and TV programs that promoted the audiovisual materials and the hotline. TB CARE I's implementation of Infection Control (IC) measures also made significant progress, with 16% of key facilities having all three IC interventions in place, compared to 100% in 2012. The project's IC IEC strategy was incorporated into the plans of each health facility and was implemented accordingly, although administrative and political support from facility directors was needed to motivate staff to follow up on the implementation of these strategies. The project also reported a change of attitude among trained staff at the ten supervised health facilities, with active case finding of TB suspects among health staff increasing. In terms of MDR TB treatment, the project reported a cure rate of 69% among MDR TB patients who completed the full course of treatment and had a negative sputum culture. The project also trained TB staff in MDR case management, with 75 out of 125 staff members showing proper performance. Overall, TB CARE I's efforts to improve TB services and increase access to care in the Dominican Republic have made significant progress, with several key results and achievements reported in the second year.