TITLE:
The Effects Community Tuberculosis Care Makes in the Early Identification and Referral of Tuberculosis Patients from Active Case Findings in Botswana
AUTHORS:
Unami Mathebula-Modongo, Mary Moleki, Tefera Agizew
KEYWORDS:
Caregiving, Tuberculosis, CTBC, Triangulation Study, Public Health
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Tuberculosis Research,
Vol.9 No.3,
September
30,
2021
ABSTRACT: Setting: Twenty-two public health clinics offering Tuberculosis (TB) care at
Francistown and Gaborone cities in Botswana. Objectives: To
assess the effects of community tuberculosis care (CTBC) on the early
identification and referral of patients and to identify perceived factors that
contribute to effective active case findings and community referral system. Design: We adopted a concurrent triangulation mixed-method research design.
Convenient purposive sampling was followed for both qualitative and
quantitative phases. Data were collected from participants who met the
inclusion criteria in both phases from July 2016-Dec. 2018. Consent was obtained from the all eligible
participants. Results: We interviewed 40
caregivers with mean age of 43.4 years. We identified different themes, 83% (n
= 33) accepted the caregiving role, 50% (n = 20) reported Social and
physiological support from health workers, 23% (n = 10) received health
education on TB, 20% (n = 8) and 30% (n = 12) reported teamwork and
communication respectively between the health workers and caregivers as factors
that contribute to effective active case findings in CTBC. 670 patients were
enrolled in the quantitative phase and only 55% (n = 369) had their contact
details documented in the patient’s TB records, while 94% (1311/1398) active
case finding suspects/contacts screened for TB. Only 18% (115/1398) had been
referred for investigated and 3% (35/1398) were TB positive. All patients
underwent treatment. Conclusion: The
caregiving role has been accepted in CTBC. Moreover, effects of CTBC on the early
identification and referral of TB patients are commendable and can be improved.