Improving Tuberculosis Systematic Screening at Remera Health Center

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that result from the infection of pathogenic bacteria. Globally, the TB in the low-income country is among the top 10 causes of death. The bacillus mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) causes tuberculosis, which might be spread into the air whenindividuals cough. Even though other organs can be affected, the lungs are the predominant site of thisdisease. Infection with MTB affects about 25% of people worldwide.

Methods: This was a quality improvement case study on TB Systematic screening with a team of health providers of health center. Data was collected through key informant from TB systematic screening registers. Data analysis was conducted using Chi-Square Test. we considered every opportunity of presence of patients at Health Center (in Waiting room, Outpatient Consultation, Laboratory, TB units) by Information Education and Communication sessions every morning in all cervices, messages to Community Health Workers and meeting with local authorities where possible. All heads of units were informed, mobilized to report TB cases and suspects to the team of quality improvement. The data collected in all departments were presented in table and analyzed to find out the rate of TB infection and later after; to find out the level of TB Systematic Screening at Health Center.

Results: During the three months selected for the evaluation of intervention July 2021 up to September 2021, the TB Systematic screening was significantly increased from 60.7% in pre-intervention to 81.3% after intervention with a p value ˂ 0.000. The TB screening in this time out was increased at 21% with a p value ˂ 0.000 but for other variables there were notwith significant change. Although groups were different the staff training on TB Triage and screening increased the knowledge on an average score of 51.4 % pre intervention up to 87.1% post intervention.

Conclusion: Increase of knowledge through education, training and reinforcing the regular monitoring procedures were the key strategies to increase the level of TB systematic screening at Remera Health Center. To end tuberculosis as a global epidemic, we must find and treat all sick people, prevent transmission, and prevent the emergence of multidrug resistant TB. This is done by applying new ways such as reinforcing and expanding screening services and improving information flow for quality healthcare.

Key words: Tuberculosis, systematic screening