Mycobacterial Diseases O-009 : Cross-sectional Survey Assessing Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Services

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused disruptions to healthcare systems and endangered the control and prevention of tuberculosis (TB). We conducted a cross-sectional survey in order to assess impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on routine services for TB under the national Public-Private Mix (PPM) TB control project in South Korea. Methods We developed a Korean language 12-item online survey targeted at healthcare professionals across the PPM participating hospitals in South Korea. The survey was administered on August 2020. Descriptive analyses were performed. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has the authority to analyze data and approved its use without personal identification information. Results One hundred six TB specialist nurses who responded. Ninety-nine (78.6%) respondents reported to experience negative impacts of TB services Resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic with the highest in Busan-Ulsan-Daegu-Gyeongsang areas (86.2%), followed by Seoul (82.1%) and Incheon-Gyeonggi areas (80.0%). Of 99 participants who reported negative impacts, 74 (74.7%) responded that number of new TB patient visiting the out-patient clinic was decreased, and 65 (65.7%) experienced decreasing number of face-to-face care and increasing visits of caregivers without patients themselves. Sixty-two (62.6%) experienced lack of supplies necessary for TB care. The majority in Seoul (92.9%) and in Gyeongsang (92.0%) has experienced decreasing out-patient clinic visits of new TB patient, respectively. Conclusions Over three fourth of survey participants under the PPM project reported to experience negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on TB care. Long-term plans to support TB care amid the COVID-19 pandemic should be prepared.