Participants
pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculosis
PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS, TUBERCULOSIS
Prefectures were initially screened to identify at least five counties or districts with more than 300 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in 2014 (to achieve our sample size), access to GeneXpert testing and culture diagnosis, tuberculosis services supplied by a designated hospital or dispensary, and use of a daily tuberculosis treatment regimen. Consent was obtained at the provincial and prefecture-level CDC and from the local health authority of each cluster. We enrolled consecutive patients aged 18 years or older with GeneXpert-positive and rifampicin-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis, who were receiving daily fixed-dose combination treatment and were able to attend follow-up visits at 12 and 18 months after treatment start. Patients provided written informed consent to participate.