Systematic screening for tuberculosis among hospital outpatients in Cameroon: The role of screening and testing algorithms to improve case detection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Better screening and testing approaches are needed to improve TB case finding, particularly in health facilities where many people with TB seek care but are not diagnosed using the existing approaches.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the performance of various TB screening and testing approaches among hospital outpatients in a setting with a high prevalence of HIV/TB.

Methods

We screened outpatients at a large hospital in Cameroon using both chest X-ray and a symptom questionnaire including current cough, fever, night sweats and/or weight loss. Participants with a positive screen were tested for TB using smear microscopy, the Xpert MTB/RIF assay, and culture.

Results

Among 2051 people screened, 1137 (55%) reported one or more TB symptom and 389 (19%)

SUBMITTER: Sander MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6830146 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature