A Protocol on "Improving Tuberculosis Detection and Accelerating Elimination through Digital Hand-Held X-Ray Units for Pre-Diagnosis Screening in Rural Communities: An Implementation Research in a Health Block of District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India"

Objective: Given the national imperative to eliminate tuberculosis in India and the need to foster an adaptable healthcare system, an implementation research study is proposed. It aims to enhance access to point-of-care TB screening in underserved populations by strategically deploying hand-held X-ray units while considering the contextual realities of the target population and healthcare system. Study Design : Three-step wedge design of implementation research. Methods: Formative research to gather insights and data, followed by a staggered introduction of the intervention (hand-held X-ray) across different healthcare facilities will be employed. Results: Metrics and processes like the proportion of TB patients screened, improved TB detection rates, and treatment outcomes will be evaluated. Conclusion: The research will evaluate the effectiveness of integrating handheld X-ray units in routine TB screening programs, thereby providing valuable insights into its feasibility and adaptability in our healthcare system to combat TB in India and other resource-limited settings.