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Introduction: Uzbekistan is one of the 30 countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) morbidity, accounting for 87% of all cases globally. The incidence of TB in the Republic of Karakalpakstan (RK) remains consistently high in comparison with other regions of Uzbekistan. The incidence rates of TB strongly differ even among the regions within RK. In 2019, the highest rates were registered in the northern and north-western regions, and the lowest in the southern regions. An important issue is the extent to which specific residencies impact individual health. The ethnic composition of the population of RK can be one of the possible causes for such geographical heterogeneity in TB morbidity., Methods and Analysis: The case-control design of this study primarily aims to evaluate the role of ethnicity and residency on the development of active TB in the community living in RK. Additionally, the study aims to measure the association between factors of TB morbidity and ethnicity/residency in the community of RK. It was decided to include one matched control for every included case, to control potential confounders. Cases with clinically diagnosed or bacteriologically confirmed TB will be randomly sampled from the patient registry. Controls will comprise individuals without TB, living in RK at the same time as the cases. They will be randomly sampled from a general roster of the residents., Ethics and Dissemination: This study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Medical Association of Uzbekistan (approval report of meeting #1 on 18 January 2024). The results of this study will be widely disseminated at scientific meetings and conferences, and published in a peer-reviewed journal., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: Vaccination is a critical public health intervention, and vaccine hesitancy is a major threat. Globally, confidence in COVID-19 vaccines has been low, and rates of routine immunizations decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because healthcare providers are a trusted source of information on vaccination in Kazakhstan, it was vital to understand their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to both routine and COVID-19 vaccines., Methods: From March to April 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study among the healthcare providers responsible for vaccination in 54 primary care facilities in three cities in Kazakhstan. All consenting providers anonymously completed structured online questionnaires at their place of work. A provider was classified as having COVID-19 vaccine confidence if they planned to get a COVID-19 vaccine, believed that COVID-19 vaccines are important to protect their community and either believed the vaccine was important to protect themselves or believed that getting a vaccine was safer than getting COVID-19. Statistical analysis included chi-square, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and Poisson regression., Results: Of 1,461 providers, 30% had COVID-19 vaccine confidence, 40% did not, and 30% would refuse vaccination. Participants were mostly female (92%) and ≤ 35 years old (57%). Additionally, 65% were nurses, 25% were family physicians, and 10% were pediatricians. Adequate KAP for routine vaccines was low (22, 17, and 32%, respectively). Adequate knowledge was highest among pediatricians (42%) and family physicians (28%) and lowest among nurses (17%). Misconceptions about vaccines were high; 54% believed that influenza vaccines cause flu, and 57% believed that there is a scientifically proven association between vaccination and autism and multiple sclerosis. About half (45%) of the practitioners felt confident answering patient vaccine-related concerns. In adjusted models, COVID-19 vaccine confidence was positively associated with adequate knowledge of vaccines (prevalence ratio: 1.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.0-1.4) and adequate attitudes related to routine vaccines (3.1, 2.7-3.6)., Conclusion: Our study uncovers critical areas for interventions to improve KAP related to routine immunizations and COVID-19 vaccine confidence among providers in Kazakhstan. The complex relationship between KAP of routine vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine confidence underscores the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy more broadly and not focusing solely on COVID-19., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Nabirova, Horth, Kassabekova, Henderson, Yesmagambetova, Alaverdyan, Nuorti and Smagul.)

Introduction: Safety of the environment in which vegetables are grown, marketed and consumed is paramount as most are eaten raw. Irrigation sources include open drains and streams, which are often contaminated with human and animal waste due to poor sanitation infrastructure. In irrigated vegetable farms using such sources in Ghana, we assessed Escherichia coli counts, antibiotic resistance patterns and resistant genes on irrigated lettuce., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January-May 2022, involving five major vegetable farms in Ghana., Results: Escherichia coli was found in all 25 composite lettuce samples analyzed. Counts expressed in CFU/g ranged from 186 to 3000, with the highest counts found in lettuce irrigated from open drains (1670) and tap water using hose pipes (3000). Among all bacterial isolates, resistance ranged between 49% and 70% for the Watch group of antibiotics, 59% for the Reserved group and 82% were multidrug-resistant. Of 125 isolates, 60 (48%) were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing, of which five (8%) had the bla TEM -resistant gene., Conclusions: Lettuce was contaminated with Escherichia coli with high levels of antibiotic resistance. We call on the Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Food and Drugs Authority and other stakeholders to support farmers to implement measures for improving vegetable safety.

Most presentations of conjunctivitis are acute. Studies show that uncomplicated cases resolve within 14 days without medication. However, antibiotic prescription remains standard practice. With antimicrobial resistance becoming a public health concern, we undertook this study to assess antibiotic prescription patterns in managing acute conjunctivitis in an eye hospital in Ghana. We recorded 3708 conjunctivitis cases; 201 were entered as acute conjunctivitis in the electronic medical records (January to December 2021). Of these, 44% were males, 56% were females, 39% were under 5 years, 21% were children and adolescents (5-17 years) and 40% were adults (≥18 years). A total of 111 (55.2%) patients received antibiotics, of which 71.2% were appropriately prescribed. The use of antibiotics was more frequent in children under 17 years compared to adults ( p < 0.0001). Of the prescribed antibiotics, 44% belonged to the AWaRe "Access" category (Gentamycin, Tetracycline ointment), while 56% received antibiotics in the "Watch" category (Ciprofloxacin, Tobramycin). Although most of the antibiotic prescribing were appropriate, the preponderance of use of the Watch category warrants stewardship to encompass topical antibiotics. The rational use of topical antibiotics in managing acute conjunctivitis will help prevent antimicrobial resistance, ensure effective health care delivery, and contain costs for patients and the health system.

From March to May 2020, 1306 oilfield workers in Kazakhstan tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. We conducted a case-control study to assess factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The cases were PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2 during June-September 2020. Controls lived at the same camp and were randomly selected from the workers who were PCR-negative for SARS-CoV-2. Data was collected telephonically by interviewing the oil workers. The study had 296 cases and 536 controls with 627 (75%) men, and 527 (63%) were below 40 years of age. Individual factors were the main drivers of transmission, with little contribution by environmental factors. Of the twenty individual factors, rare hand sanitizer use, travel before shift work, and social interactions outside of work increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Of the twenty-two environmental factors, only working in air-conditioned spaces was associated with SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Communication messages may enhance workers' individual responsibility and responsibility for the safety of others to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Introduction: Tajikistan is scaling up molecular diagnostic and digital technologies to strengthen its fight against drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). The study aimed to document national scale-up GeneXpert/GxAlert and Open MRS from 2012-2019 and compare time taken from TB diagnosis to treatment and quality of data recording before and after the introduction of GxAlert., Methodology: This was a longitudinal study that included a comparison of historical cohorts. Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test and categorical variables using the chi square test., Results: GeneXpert was introduced in 2011 and scaled up to 46 instruments in 43 (51%) diagnostic laboratories by May 2019. GxAlert was introduced in August 2018 and connected with all GeneXpert instruments by February 2019. Open MRS was introduced in 2014 and implemented in all 108 treatment centers by mid-2018. Time from diagnosis to treatment pre-GxAlert (range 0-749, median 3, days) was significantly longer than with GxAlert (range 0-273, median 3, days) (p <0.001). The proportion of patients whose time from diagnosis to treatment was > 2 weeks was 16% (282/1740) pre-GxAlert and 11% (206/1902) with GxAlert (p < 0.001). Between 31%-34% of patients with DR-TB results in Open MRS did not have results available in GeneXpert/GxAlert systems. Where results were present in both systems, there were discrepancies in 8.2% of patients pre-GxAlert and 4.3% with GxAlert (p = 0.25)., Conclusions: The scale-up of GeneXpert and digital technologies in Tajikistan was associated with a reduction in the proportion of patients with delays more than 2 weeks between diagnosis and treatment, but data quality recording improved only slightly., Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared, (Copyright (c) 2021 Shodmon Khushvakhtov, Hayk Davtyan, Sevak Alaverdyan, Anthony Harries, Olim Kabirov, Shahnoza Azamova, Firuza Sharipova, Safarkhon Sattorov, Asliddin Rajabov.)

Introduction: MDR/RR-TB is a growing problem in Kyrgyzstan. In 2005, the country introduced standard or individualized treatment for 20-24 months. Because of poor treatment outcomes, in 2017 a short treatment with strict eligibility criteria was introduced. The aim of this study was to compare characteristics and treatment outcomes of MDR/RR-TB patients receiving short (9-12 months) treatment in 2017 with those receiving standard or individualized (20-24 months) treatment in 2016/2017., Methodology: A comparative cohort study using routine programmatic data. Characteristics, sputum culture conversion and treatment outcomes were compared between those on short treatment with those on standard/individualized treatment using the chi-square test, crude and adjusted risk ratios (RR and aRR)., Results: The study included 274, 82 and 132 patients on standard, individualized and short treatment, respectively. There were more females, fewer migrants/homeless and unemployed and more new TB patients on short treatment compared with the other two groups. A favorable outcome (cure and treatment completed) was significantly higher in short treatment patients (83%) compared with those on standard (50%) or individualized (59%) treatment (p < 0.001). There was higher 1-month sputum culture conversion with short treatment (35%) compared with the other two groups (19% and 24%, p < 0.05). Short treatment (aRR 1.6, 1.4-1.8), female gender (aRR 1.2, 1.1-1.4), not being homeless (aRR 12.9, 4.5-17.3) and having new TB (aRR 1.3, 1.0-1.5) were independently associated with a favorable outcome., Conclusions: The treatment success was higher in selected MDR-TB patients given short treatment in Kyrgyzstan: this regimen should be scaled-up to all MDR-TB patients., Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared, (Copyright (c) 2021 Elena Zhdanova, Olga Goncharova, Hayk Davtyan, Sevak Alaverdyan, Aelita Sargsyan, Anthony D Harries, Bolot Maykanaev.)

Compliance with treatment guidelines is essential to achieve successful outcomes in tuberculosis patients. Thus, we assessed if multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment practices from 2012-2018 in Uzbekistan were compliant with national guidelines in terms of regimens prescribed, weight-based drug dosages used, and documentation of treatment changes (such as prolongation of intensive phase, change of drugs, and their reasons) in the treatment card and Consilium form. A total of 1481 patients were included. Of them, only 25% received standardized regimens as per guidelines and the remaining received individualized regimens. There was an increasing trend in using standardized regimens from 2% in 2012 to 44% in 2018. Compliance to recommended weight-based drug dosages was observed in 85% of the patients during the intensive phase and 84% in the continuation phase-ranged 71-91% over the years. Prolongation of the intensive phase was done in 42% of patients. The treatment was changed in 44% of patients during the intensive phase and 34% of patients during the continuation phase. The documentation of treatment changes was suboptimal (42-75%) during the initial years (2012-2014); however, it improved significantly during later years (86-100%). Future research should explore reasons for non-compliance so that the quality of patient care can be improved.

Tuberculosis patients "resistant to isoniazid and susceptible to rifampicin (Hr-TB)" remain neglected, despite a high burden and poor outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 6 month regimen consisting of levofloxacin, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide (LRZE) to treat Hr-TB. In contrast, Uzbekistan uses a 9 month regimen (LRZE plus a second-line injectable in the first 3 months). We aimed to assess the treatment outcomes of this novel regimen among Hr-TB patients treated in two regions of Uzbekistan (Fergana and Bukhara) in 2017-2018. We conducted a cohort study involving secondary analysis of routine surveillance data. Of 132 Hr-TB patients, 105 (80%) were successfully treated. Death was the predominant unsuccessful outcome (13, 10%) followed by "treatment failure" (10, 8%) and "lost to follow-up" (4, 2%). High treatment success is an indicator of the potential effectiveness of the novel regimen and adds to the limited global evidence on this issue. However, the sample size was small and there was no comparison group. Since the study was conducted in two regions of Uzbekistan only, the findings have limited generalizability. We recommend future research using an adequate sample size and an appropriate study design (randomized controlled trial or prospective cohort with a control group receiving the WHO-recommended regimen).

As per national guidelines in Uzbekistan, all presumptive tuberculosis patients should be tested using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for diagnosing tuberculosis. There is no published evidence how well this is being implemented. In this paper, we report on the Xpert coverage among presumptive tuberculosis patients in 2018 and 2019, factors associated with non-testing and delays involved. Analysis of national aggregate data indicated that Xpert testing increased from 24% in 2018 to 46% in 2019, with variation among the regions: 21% in Tashkent region to 100% in Karakalpakstan. In a cohort (January-March 2019) constituted of 40 randomly selected health facilities in Tashkent city and Bukhara region, there were 1940 patients of whom 832 (43%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 41-45%) were not Xpert-tested. Non-testing was significantly higher in Bukhara region (73%) compared to Tashkent city (28%). In multivariable analysis, patient's age, distance between primary health centre (PHC) and Xpert laboratory, diagnostic capacity and site of PHC were associated with non-testing. The median (interquartile range) duration from date of initial visit to PHC to receiving results was 1 (1-2) day in Tashkent city compared to 3 (1-6) days in Bukhara region ( p -value < 0.001). While there is commendable progress, universal access to Xpert testing is not a reality yet.