‎⁨PREreviews of IMPACT OF CENTRALIZED NIKSHAY ON TB NOTIFICATION AND DATA COMPLETENESS IN INDIGENOUS TRIBES: A 21-YEAR STUDY⁩ | ⁨PREreview⁩

Skip to preprint details Skip to PREreviews

IMPACT OF CENTRALIZED NIKSHAY ON TB NOTIFICATION AND DATA COMPLETENESS IN INDIGENOUS TRIBES: A 21-YEAR STUDY

by Mona Rastogi, Aishwarya S. Babu, R Abhishek, Shruthi Vasanthaiah, Parthasarathy Ponnusamy, N Nagarathna, M Rajesh, Deepak Murthy, Akhilesh Pandey, Kumar Gavali Suryanarayana, and Renu Verma

Posted: October 15, 2026
Server: medRxiv
DOI: 10.64898/2026.10.13.26365279

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Indigenous tribes face a disproportionately high tuberculosis (TB) burden due to deep-rooted socioeconomic disadvantage, highlighting the need for strengthened surveillance and control strategies.

METHODS

We conducted a 21-year retrospective study (2005-2025) among tribal and neighboring non-tribal populations attending a tribal-serving hospital in Karnataka. Pre-Nikshay data were transcribed from paper registers, and post-Nikshay data were obtained from the digital system. We assessed negative binomial interrupted time-series regression model, data completeness, TB risk factors, and used multivariable logistic regression to identify determinants of poor treatment outcomes and household contact screening yield.

RESULTS

We analyzed 1,512 TB cases (tribal = 1,021; non-tribal = 491). TB detection increased significantly over time, with a steeper rise among tribal populations (p<0.001). Nikshay implementation significantly improved data completeness (Wilcoxon W = 9900, p<0.001). Among tribal patients, males had higher odds of poor treatment outcome (aOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.70–4.85; p <0.001). Diabetes (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.05–4.03; p =0.029) was independently associated with poor treatment outcome. Among 503 index cases, 1,535 household contacts were identified and 1,161 (75.6%) screened; coverage was lower among tribal contacts (69.8% vs 87.2%; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Nikshay strengthened TB surveillance and improved assessment of TB burden and risk factors in tribal communities.

Read the preprint

3 PREreviews

Write a PREreview Request a PREreview

PREreview by Fang-Ting Guo

Authored by Fang-Ting Guo

Summary

This study looked at how the Nikshay digital reporting system affected tuberculosis (TB) reporting and data completeness among Indigenous tribal communities in Karnataka, India. The researchers used 21 years of data from 2005 to 2025 and compared paper records with digital records.
…
Read the PREreview by Fang-Ting Guo
PREreview by Fang-Ting Guo

Authored by Fang-Ting Guo

Summary

This study looked at how the Nikshay digital reporting system affected tuberculosis (TB) reporting and data completeness among Indigenous tribal communities in Karnataka, India. The researchers used 21 years of data from 2005 to 2025 and compared paper records with digital records.
…
Read the PREreview by Fang-Ting Guo
PREreview by Sabrine Falla

Authored by Sabrine Falla
Write a short summary of the research’s main findings and how this work has moved the field forward.
- Tuberculosis detection and reporting increased among tribal populations after Nikshay was introduced.
  …
Read the PREreview by Sabrine Falla