Integrating chest radiography-based TB screening and preventive treatment for household contacts in Pakistan: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pakistan ranks fifth among countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) incidence worldwide, yet only approximately 70% of TB patients receive treatment. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends active TB case finding and TB preventive treatment (TPT) for household contacts (HHCs) following exclusion of active TB disease. We piloted the integration of WHO-recommended chest X-ray (CXR) screening and TPT for HHCs, with data collection via PREVENT-TB app.

Methods

A mixed-method pilot study was conducted in 19 healthcare facilities in Hafizabad and Nankana Sahib districts of Punjab, Pakistan, from December 2021 to September 2023. It aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a CXR based TB screening among HHCs, the initiation of TPT, and the feasibilit

SUBMITTER: Khan N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12836898 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature