BackgroundIn Ethiopia, extensive scale-up of the availability of health extension workers (HEWs) at the community level has been credited with increased identification and referral of patients with presumptive tuberculosis, which has contributed to increased tuberculosis case notification and better treatment outcomes. However, nearly 30% of Ethiopia’s estimated 191000 patients with tuberculosis remained unnotified in 2015. A better understanding of patient care-seeking practices may inform future government action to reach all patients with tuberculosis.MethodsA patient-pathway analysis was completed to assess the alignment between patient care initiation and the availability of diagnostic and treatment services at the national level.ResultsMore than one third of patients initiated care with HEWs, who refer patients to health centers for diagnosis. An additional one third of patients initiated care at health centers. Of those health centers, >80% had microscopy services, but few had access to Xpert. Despite an extensive microscopy and radiography network at middle levels of the health system, a quarter of all notified patients with tuberculosis had no bacteriological confirmation of disease. While 30% of patients reported receiving some form of care from the private sector, private-sector facilities, especially pharmacies, were not widely accessed for tuberculosis diagnosis.DiscussionThe availability of HEWs can increase access to tuberculosis diagnostic and treatment support services, particularly for rural populations. Continued strengthening of referral systems from HEWs and health posts are needed to enable consistent and timely access to Xpert as an initial diagnostic test and to drug resistance screening.

Objectives Ethiopia’s HIV prevalence has decreased by 75% in the past 20 years with the implementation of antiretroviral therapy, but HIV transmission continues in high‐risk clusters. Identifying the spatial and temporal trends, and epidemiologic correlates, of these clusters can lead to targeted interventions. Methods We used biomarker and survey data from the 2005, 2011 and 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The spatial‐temporal distribution of HIV was estimated using the Kulldorff spatial scan statistic, a likelihood‐based method for determining clustering. Significant clusters (P < 0.05) were identified and compared based on HIV risk factors to non‐cluster areas. Results In 2005, 2011 and 2016, respectively, 219, 568 and 408 individuals tested positive for HIV. Four HIV clusters were identified, representing 17% of the total population and 43% of all HIV cases. The clusters were centred around Addis Ababa (1), Afar (2), Dire Dawa (3) and Gambella (4). Cluster 1 had higher rates of unsafe injections (4.9% vs. 2.2%, P < 0.001) and transactional sex (6.0% vs. 1.6%, P < 0.001) than non‐cluster regions, but more male circumcision (98.5% vs. 91.3%, P < 0.001). Cluster 2 had higher levels of transactional sex (4.9% vs. 1.6%, P < 0.01), but lower levels of unsafe injections (0.8% vs. 2.2%, P < 0.01). Cluster 3 had fewer individuals with> 1 sexual partner (0% vs. 1.7%, P < 0.001) and more male circumcision (100% vs. 91.3%, P < 0.001). Cluster 4 had less male circumcision (59.1% vs. 91.3%, P < 0.01). Conclusions In Ethiopia, geographic HIV clusters are driven by different risk factors. Decreasing the HIV burden requires targeted interventions.

Management of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is one of the globally recommended key strategies to end tuberculosis. However, there is limited experience with translation of global recommendations into action at country levels. We present Ethiopia's experience in implementing LTBI management. Our objective is to share promising practices, existing opportunities and to suggest specific steps required for further scale up of the services. Our report is based on synthesis of data from secondary sources including official routine reports of Ministry of Health, materials presented at review meetings, and findings from supervisory visits to districts and health facilities. Our results suggest that Ethiopia has made significant strides toward strengthening LTBI management in people living with HIV and among under-five-year-old household contacts of TB patients. The use of contact investigation as entry point for LTBI management could be taken as best practice. More effort is needed to further strengthen implementation of LTBI management, and it should be supported through context-specific implementation and operational research activities.