Reducing TB incidence in clinical settings in resource constrained countries

With the emergence of multidrug (MDR) and extensively drug (XDR) resistant tuberculosis (TB) and the devastating effect of TB in general, healthcare providers in resource constrained countries are struggling to find cost-effective ways to reduce incidence. These countries have an additional burden of significant HIV infected populations, which are especially susceptible to the disease. With input from experts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we built an airflow-based simulation model to study a variety of interventions under administrative, environmental, and respiratory protection controls for hospital and clinical settings. Simulation results for costs and incidence are shared. We study several demographics, including healthcare providers and HIV infected persons. We also discuss a basic tool for site-based recommendations. We conclude with opportunities for expansion of the work.