A tuberculin skin test survey in a rural Ghanaian population

A study to determine the prevalence of positive tuberculin skin tests in a rural area of Ghana is described. Subjects over 14 exhibited the greatest percentage of positive reactions (40%), those under 15, less than 10 percent. Males had a higher percentage of positive reactions than females, which is consistent with the results of other tuberculin skin test studies. Prevalence of BCG scars was also studied as part of a village health survey medical examination. Overall BCG coverage was low (10%): the school age population, mose easily reached by mobile vaccination teams, had the highest rate of coverage (16%). There was a poor correlation between mothers' perception of children's BCG immunization status and the children's actual status determined during the medical examination, largely due to poor communication between immunization staff and the villagers. The authors conclude that BCG immunizations should be encouraged, particularly in children under 15, preferably via a mobile, mass campaign approach, with careful communication between medical staff and villagers.