Evaluation of existing digital tools in national tuberculosis control programs of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Tuberculosis (TB) national programs are challenging, especially in countries with low/middle income, digital tools (DTs) support their further progress. Our study aimed to map existing DTs in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. <bold>Methods:</bold> To map DTs, a questionnaire focused on healthcare workers (HCWs), patients (Ps), policymakers (PMs) was created; DTs were stratified by 1 - diagnostics, 2 - treatment, 3 - surveillance, 4 - E-learning. Interviews with national representatives were held and summarized in the database. <bold>Results:</bold> 1 – Kyrgyzstan laboratory system allows the automatic recording and reporting of test results to HCWs by text messages, except Whole Genome Sequencing. Artificial intelligence is partially used for Chest X-ray analysis in Armenia, but DTs are not implemented in TB laboratories. 2 - In Armenia DT for Video Directly Observed treatment is used, text messages for Ps and HCWs can be sent through a mobile App, and another App is suggested for Ps to increase treatment adherence. Those interventions in Kyrgyzstan are covered partially by the pilot App. 3 - e-TB-manager in Armenia and TB-MIS in Kyrgyzstan are used as health information systems; HISAM and Quan-TB partially cover program management in Armenia, Quan-TB – in Kyrgyzstan for PMs. 4 – the platform for HCWs training in Armenia and the repository of guidelines in Kyrgyzstan are in use. Discussion: Our mapping found gaps apparent from the mapping - DTs interconnectivity, expansion to institutions beyond the often centralized laboratory, treatment and surveillance institutions, and inclusion of E-learning for Ps and HCWs. Retrospective cohort studies on actual patient, process, and laboratory endpoints are needed.