Transforming Tuberculosis Prevention and Care: Comprehensive Insights from the 2024 Palu City Health Center Program Evaluation

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern globally, with persistent challenges in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This study evaluates the TB prevention and care strategies implemented at health centers in Palu City, Indonesia, as part of a comprehensive program aimed at improving TB management outcomes. To assess the effectiveness and impact of the 2024 Palu City Health Center TB program, focusing on prevention, early detection, treatment adherence, and community engagement. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from TB case records with qualitative interviews from healthcare providers, patients, and community leaders. Data were collected from January to June 2024 at five health centers across Palu City. Key program components, including training, outreach initiatives, and the use of digital tools for TB monitoring, were evaluated. The program showed significant improvements in early TB detection (25% increase), treatment completion rates (up 15%), and community awareness (40% improvement in knowledge). The integration of digital health tools facilitated real-time monitoring of patient progress and enhanced communication between health workers and patients. Key barriers identified included limited access to rural areas and stigma surrounding TB. The 2024 Palu City Health Center TB program demonstrates promising outcomes in TB prevention and care, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, digital health integration, and continuous training of healthcare workers. Scaling up these initiatives could offer valuable lessons for TB control in other regions with similar challenges.