Strategies for improving Tuberculosis notification through incentives in primary care settings: Insights from a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Effective disease notification systems are crucial for managing public health issues, yet many countries face challenges related to under-reporting, particularly in the context of diseases such as tuberculosis. This systematic literature review aims to analyze incentive strategies designed to enhance health reporting in primary care settings.

Methods: A comprehensive search of databases was conducted to identify studies published in the last five years that focused on incentive mechanisms in healthcare settings. The inclusion criteria comprised studies that assessed the impact of financial and non-financial incentives on health reporting and service performance. A total of 93 studies were included in the final analysis.

Results: The findings indicate that both financial incentives, and non-financial incentives can significantly improve tuberculosis notification rates. Evidence suggests that well-structured incentive programs can lead to better engagement from healthcare providers, enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of disease reporting. Moreover, the effectiveness of these strategies are influenced by contextual factors, including local healthcare policies and provider awareness.

Conclusion: This review underscores the importance of tailored incentive strategies in improving health reporting systems. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and the integration of stakeholder perspectives to develop more effective and sustainable incentive frameworks.