@article {Wali:2021:2220-8372:174,
title = "Early TB case detection by community-based mobile X-ray screening and Xpert testing in Balochistan",
journal = "Public Health Action",
parent_itemid = "infobike://iuatld/pha",
publishercode ="iuatld",
year = "2021",
volume = "11",
number = "4",
publication date ="2021-12-21T00:00:00",
pages = "174-179",
itemtype = "ARTICLE",
issn = "2220-8372",
eissn = "2220-8372",
url = "https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuatld/pha/2021/00000011/00000004/art00003",
doi = "doi:10.5588/pha.21.0050",
keyword = "screening, tuberculosis, community-based, MTB/RIF assay, CAD4TB",
author = "Wali, A. and Safdar, N. and Manair, R. and Khan, M. D. and Khan, A. and Kurd, S. A. and Khalil, L.",
abstract = "
SETTING: This survey was conducted at 35 sites of 20 cities in 15 districts with low programmatic TB case notifications in the past years in Balochistan.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the systemic community-based screening and diagnosis for early detection
of TB; and 2) to describe the characteristics and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the intervention in Balochistan, and sociodemographic factors associated with it.
DESIGN: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a mobile van equipped with a digital X-ray
machine with computer-aided detection for TB (CAD4TB) software for screening, followed by confirmatory high sensitivity Xpert	extregistered MTB/RIF assay testing.
RESULTS: A total of 236 (3.4%) TB cases was detected out of 6,899 screened. About 1,168 (17%) presumptive TB cases were identified
and 1,065 (91%) sputum samples were tested on Xpert. Among those diagnosed, 166 (70%) were Mycobacterium tuberculosis-positive and 70 (30%) were with clinical suspicion. Of the sputum samples tested, 87% (923/1065) had a probability score of >70 on CAD4TB.
CONCLUSION: Community-based
screening with innovative activities, comprising sensitive screening and diagnostic tools, effectively improves TB case detection, which might suffice to reduce the prevalence of TB and break the chain of infection transmission in the at-risk population.",
}