Enhanced tuberculosis case finding through advocacy and sensitisation meetings in prisons of Central India
This study examines an enhanced case-finding strategy implemented in prisons in Chhattisgarh
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) in prisons is a major problem. The prisons in Chhattisgarh, India, are overcrowded, and there are no formal efforts to engage them in TB control. In 2014, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and the state TB programme advocated with state prison authorities to implement an enhanced case-finding strategy in the prisons. Sensitisation meetings to improve awareness among prisoners about TB symptoms and services were coupled with improved access to diagnosis. Patients with presumptive TB who were examined by sputum microscopy increased by 39% per 100 000 prisoners, and TB case notification rates increased by 38%, in 2014 relative to 2013.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Mallick G, Shewade HD, Agrawal TK, Kumar AMV., Chadha SS. Enhanced tuberculosis case finding through advocacy and sensitisation meetings in prisons of Central India. Public Health Action. 2017;7(1):67–70.