Timing of household contact investigation for tuberculosis among rural and urban populations in South Africa (Kharituwe study): a pragmatic individually randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

One major challenge in the implementation of household contact investigation (HCI) for tuberculosis (TB) in high burden settings is finding contact persons in the home for screening. Conducting HCI during evenings, weekends, or holidays, particularly in settings with high levels of poverty, may improve effectiveness and implementation.

Methods

We conducted a pragmatic, individually randomized controlled trial of HCI for TB at two sites in South Africa, comparing the effectiveness of two novel strategies for timing (during evenings and weekends in an urban area and during three annual holiday periods in a rural area) to weekday working hours. The primary outcome was the number of secondary cases identified and started on TB treatment per index participant, comparin

SUBMITTER: Hanrahan CF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12834837 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature