Completeness and Reliability of the Republic of South Africa National Tuberculosis (TB) Surveillance System

Abstract

The current evaluation revealed that one-third of persons diagnosed with TB disease may not have been notified of their disease or initiated on treatment ('initial defaulters'). The ETR is not capturing all TB patients. Further, among patients with a TB record, completeness and reliability of information in the TB Surveillance System is inconsistent across data sources. Actions are urgently needed to ensure that all diagnosed patients are treated and managed and improve the integrity of surveillance information.