Table 2.

Respondent perspectives on the usefulness of TB data tools by data source—TB Data Optimization Project, 2021–2023.

Theme	NTP survey findings	Country case study findings	Global findings
Usefulness of TB data tools	- Ten of the 17 TB data tools (TBPS, DRS, EM, PCS, PPA, CCA, DNA, DNO, QTSA*, SDCS*) were considered worth the investment by a majority (≥80%) of countries that have implemented those tools - Respondents were asked about six areas in which TB data tools may be used: (1) understanding gaps in the TB care cascade; (2) routine programmatic planning and forecasting: (3) monitoring progress toward TB targets; (4) developing the TB National Strategic Plan; (5) developing funding applications; and (6) impacting a country's guidelines or policies. Four of the tools (TBPS, DRS, CCA, DNO) were considered very or somewhat useful or helpful across all six areas, but most of the tools scored highly in four of the six areas	- Tools were used to help estimate TB burden, better understand gaps in the TB care cascade, develop the national strategic plan, and write funding applications; but countries also relied extensively on their routine TB data for this - Tools that were cited most often as being particularly useful were: TBPS, DRS, PCS, and PPA; however, these were also the most well-known amongst respondents. Other tools that were cited as particularly useful include: DNO, DNA, IS, SB, and EM - Evidence from desk reviews was somewhat less consistent; not all tools were used/cited in national strategic plans, funding applications, and program reviews	- The most well-known tools were believed by most respondents to be worth the investment (with some caveats, e.g. depending on data availability and a country's needs): TBPS, PCS, CCA, PPA, and SB. Other tools mentioned by many/some respondents as worth the investment were: DRS, IS, PSRx, SDCS, PCF, DNO, and EM - Every tool had respondents who believed it was worth the investment, except for screen TB. However, screen TB was not well-known amongst respondents - Several respondents indicated challenges with operationalizing the findings and optimally implementing recommendations (e.g. findings not actionable or difficult to address, findings not disseminated to the right audience to make programmatic and policy changes, lack of funding to implement recommendations and lack of follow-up after tool implementation)

CCA, TB care cascade analysis; DNA, TB diagnostic network assessment; DNO, diagnostic network optimization; DRS, anti-TB drug resistance survey; EM, epidemiological modeling; IS, inventory study; PCF, people-centered framework; PCS, TB patient cost survey; PPA, patient pathway analysis; PSRx, private sector drug sales analysis; QTSA, quality of TB services assessment; SB, epidemiological review including standards and benchmarks; SDCS, service delivery costing study (Value TB); TBPS, TB prevalence survey.

^*TB data tools with small number of NTP survey countries that have implemented the tool (N ≤ 5).