Active Case Finding for Pulmonary Tuberculosis in High Risk Situation May not Yield Positive Case but Reassures: Experience from a Tsunami Quarters in Puducherry, India

Active Case Finding of TB in Puducherry

Abstract

Introduction: India reports the highest incidence of Tuberculosis(TB) cases in the world. Apart from other countries, India has the highest responsibility to the international set goals in Sustainable Developmental Goals(SDG) and END TB strategies, towards elimination of TB. Active case finding (ACF) is one of the key strategies to achieve these goals. We planned an ACF activity in one of the largest Tsunami Quarters. 

Methods: Following mapping of the village, a house to house active case ACF of tuberculosis has been carried out in one of the Tsunami quarters in Puducherry, based on the WHO  and RNTCP guideline, with the support of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme, Puducherry. ACF was carried out in January 2018. Forty three students, two PGs and two faculties were involved in this activity, which was done as a part of teaching training programme for third year MBBS students under the programme named ROME (Reorientation of Medical Education).

Results: 2766 individuals were screened, in 791 families. There were about 31 presumptive cases were line listed. Among 31, sputum tested for 23 and among the 23 Xray was done among 18. No cases were identified with tuberculosis.

Conclusion: After spending huge manpower for about a month and screening the vulnerable population, the yield was not encouraging. More researches needed in this field to carryout ACF in resource poor setting like India, without which attaining SDG and END TB goals would be very difficult.