TITLE:
Effectiveness of Contact Tracing of Index Tuberculosis Cases in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Okorie Onuka, Ikpeazu Okezie, John Ahukanna, Chukwudi Okebaram, Patrick Dakum, Aderonke Agbaje, Vivian Ibeziako, Gidado Mustapha, Nkem Chukwueme, Emperor Ubochioma, Amarachi Okorie, Nwafor Charles, Chux Anago
KEYWORDS:
Contact tracing, Index TB cases
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.8 No.4,
November
8,
2018
ABSTRACT: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic disease that has impacted negatively on human history. The biology of the mycobacterium tuberculosis is complicated and has affected the control as well as elimination of the disease. Nigeria is one of the countries with high incidence and prevalence of TB. The late and low case detection has been a major problem with National TB control program, caused by passive case finding strategy practiced by the country. A shift from the passive and active case search has been recommended for detection of missing cases of TB and improved program performance. The proximity of TB contact is a major determinant of disease transmission. However, maximizing early case detection and prompt treatment of notified cases is very useful in (TB) control especially in high burden countries. The tracking of TB contacts provides a good platform for early diagnosis, educating the household on TB disease and infection control as well as breaking the chain of transmission. The objective of the study is to ascertain effectiveness of contact tracing on Tuberculosis case detection. The study is a retrospective quasi experimental with quantitative arm. The study was conducted in Abia State, one of the South Eastern States of Nigeria. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection and analyzed with SPSS. A total of 168 and 162 index cases of TB were recruited for both intervention and control facilities. The 168 index TB cases yielded 301 TB contacts. The result revealed 55% contact/index ratio, presumptive TB yield of 130 (43.2%) and TB yield of 68 (22.6%). The cases registered in the State increased from 336 to 417 and p value = 0.001, while presumptive TB and BCG vaccination were major predictors. The study shows that tracing contact of index TB cases is an effective and complementary method of finding undetected cases of TB.