Development of Tuberculosis Screening Model in Household Contacts in Sra Khu Subdistrict, Suwannabhum District, Roi-Et Province

Abstract

Purposes : To study community context, developing a model and evaluating performance of tuberculosis screening in household contacts.

Study design : Participatory Action Research: PAR

Materials and Methods : The key informants were an official responsible for tuberculosis work and 10 of public health volunteers and 33 of exposed to tuberculosis in their household. Data were collected using household contact records and a knowledge test about tuberculosis household contacts. We were conducted from October 2022 - May 2023 and Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics using frequencies, paired t-test, and qualitative data using content analysis.

Main findings : 1) The number of new tuberculosis patients were increasing and tends to continue to increase, as a result, screening among people who have contact with common diseases was not comprehensive and lack of knowledge about tuberculosis prevention, especially those who were exposed to common diseases in household. Therefore there were a high chance of being infected with tuberculosis. 2) The model for screening for tuberculosis infection in household contacts consists of 5 steps: (1) developing the potential of tuberculosis screening leaders (2) creating knowledge about tuberculosis among those in contact with household members (3) conducting tuberculosis screening in those who come into contact with the household. Registration of household contacts, chest X-ray and sputum AFB examination (4) home visit tracking, and (5) household contact tracing system, and 3) after development it was found that Household contacts had a significantly higher mean knowledge score about tuberculosis than before development (p<.001), with the overall mean tuberculosis knowledge score increasing by 3.60 points (95%CI: 2.79, 4.36) and none new tuberculosis infection cases were found among household contacts in Sra khu Subdistrict.

Conclusion and recommendation : The results of this research result in increased screening of household contacts. Therefore, this model should be used. This applies to areas with similar contexts, emphasis was placed on risk factors and symptoms of tuberculosis.