Development and assessment of “college student to community strategy” for enhancing tuberculosis case detection

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) elimination is the top-most public health priority for India. Taking into account the dire need to enhance the detection of TB cases, an innovative model was developed and implemented. AIM: The aim is to develop and assess “college student to community strategy” for enhancing TB case detection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in seven different nonmedical degree colleges. A total of 134 students participated in this study. Information, education, and communication (IEC) sessions describing the epidemiology, presumptive case definition, control, and prevention of TB were conducted. Pretest and posttest were administered to capture knowledge about TB, including identification of presumptive TB cases. Data were analyzed with SPSS V. 25.0. RESULTS: A total of 134 participants were included in this study. Only 108 (80.6%) participants were aware of TB before the IEC session. There was a statistically significant difference in knowledge about transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of TB before and after IEC activity. 118 (88.06%) participants felt confident regarding presumptive TB case detection. Two participants and three close contacts having presumptive TB symptoms were linked to the TB care pathway. CONCLUSION: College students who are equipped with the presumptive TB case detection knowledge can be instrumental in diagnosing the hidden burden of TB in the community. This will detect additional cases along with routine case detection through the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program.

Keywords

• case detection
• national tuberculosis elimination program
• strategy
• students
• tuberculosis