A cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of placing Truenat platform/TB assays at primary health care clinics combined with rapid communication of results on time to treatment initiation of microbiologically confirmed TB.~In a setup period (survey of study centers) before randomization, the healthcare facilities (=clinics) of 4 sites will be asked to provide information about the number of TB notifications per quarter covering the period 1/2018-6/2020. From this information the foreseeable number of examined patients (size of a clinic) will be derived, which will be used as a strata variable in randomization process.~Facilities will be randomly allocated to the standard of care (control), or Truenat platform/TB assays (intervention).~A cluster refers to a clinic. The clusters will be assigned to intervention or control arm to one of two diagnostic procedures (SOC [smear microscopy and/or Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra off-site] vs Truenat platform/TB assays on-site) following a restricted randomization strategy, whereby 6 to 8 strata of clusters will be established using the stratification variables site (clinics belong to a site) and size and apply balance criteria for them. The number of strata per site depends on heterogeneity of the sizes of the clinics as established in setup period and may be increased, typically 1 or 2 strata per site will be established.~The primary endpoint will be compared in an individual level analysis with strata and intervention as fixed effects and cluster as random effect.
A cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of placing Truenat platform/TB assays at primary health care clinics combined with rapid communication of results on time to treatment initiation of microbiologically confirmed TB.