Portable digital X-ray for TB pre-diagnosis screening in rural communities in Nigeria
B. Odume, E. Chukwu, T. Fawole, N. Nwokoye, C. Ogbudebe, O. Chukwuogo, S. Useni, C. Dim, E. Ubochioma, D. Nongo, R. Eneogu, T. Lagundoye Odusote, O. Oyelaran, C. Anyaike- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Health Policy
SETTING: This pilot project was conducted in hard-to-reach communities of two Niger Delta States in the South-South Region of Nigeria.OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of portable digital X-ray, the Delft-Light Backpack (DLB) for TB active case-finding (ACF) in hard-to-reach Niger Delta communities using the WHO 3B TB screening/diagnosis algorithm.DESIGN: DLB X-ray was used to screen all consenting eligible participants during community TB screening out-reaches in all hard-to-reach communities of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Participants with a CAD4TB (computer-aided detection for TB score) 60 had Xpert (sputum) and/or clinical (radiograph) assessment for TB diagnosis. Data from the project were analysed for this study.RESULTS: A total of 8,230 participants (males: 47.2%, females: 52.8%) underwent TB screening and 1,140 (13.9%) presumptive TB cases were identified. The TB prevalence among all participants and among those with presumptive TB were respectively 1.2% and 8.6%. The number needed to screen was 84. Among people with presumptive TB, the proportion of males and females with confirmed TB was respectively 12.0% and 5.6% (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: TB screening using DLB X-ray during community-based ACF in hard-to-reach Niger Delta communities of Nigeria showed a high TB prevalence among participants. Nationwide deployment of the instrument in hard-to-reach areas is recommended.