Awareness & utilization of NIKSHAY and perceived barriers for tuberculosis case notification among the private practitioners in Udupi district, Karnataka

Background: NIKSHAY is a web-based TB case notification & management portal. The study aimed to assess the awareness and utilization of NIKSHAY among the private practitioners in Udupi district and identify the operational barriers to TB notification. Methods: The study was conducted between January to May 2019. Allopathic doctors were included in the study. Interviewer-administered structured validated questionnaire was used. The doctors were interviewed at their clinics/hospital. Result: Out of 206 doctors, 138 were included in the study. Most of the participants were males (88.4%).Whereas, majority of the doctors were specialists (73.2%). 99% of the doctors knew that TB notification is mandatory. The awareness of NIKSHAY was low (21.7%) among them. Of those aware, 51.9% of the doctors were registered on NIKSHAY. 92.7% of the doctors who were registered had notified at least one case in last 6 months. Training programs were effective in increasing awareness of NIKSHAY but not utilization. Factors like out-patient load, number of presumptive and diagnosed TB cases seen were associated with the awareness and utilization of NIKSHAY. The major perceived barriers for notification were difficult to treat TB, ignorance of TB burden, complicated notification system, patient stigma and loss to follow up, lack of acknowledgement from the government. Conclusion: The awareness and utilization of NIKSHAY was low. Patient load was positively associated with the utilization of NIKSHAY. Private practitioners face various barriers which needs to be addressed to increase the notification rates.