Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis with the Xpert MTB/RIF Test
08:10

Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis with the Xpert MTB/RIF Test

Published on: April 9, 2012

81.3K

Using a mobile application to improve pediatric presumptive TB identification in western Kenya

D Szkwarko1, J A Amisi2, D Peterson3

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
|May 29, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A mobile app led by community health volunteers significantly improved the identification of presumptive tuberculosis (TB) in children in Kenya. This intervention proved feasible, appropriate, and effective for healthcare workers.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Digital Health

Background:

  • Early recognition of pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
  • Healthcare workers in high TB burden settings face challenges with presumptive TB screening due to competing priorities.
  • A mobile application intervention was evaluated for feasibility, appropriateness, and effectiveness in pediatric primary care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the feasibility, appropriateness, and effectiveness of a community health volunteer-led mobile application for presumptive pediatric TB screening.
  • To improve the identification and notification of presumptive TB cases in children in western Kenya.

Main Methods:

  • A mixed-methods participatory and iterative approach was used to design and implement the presumptive pediatric TB mobile android application (PPTBMAPP).
  • The intervention was implemented over a 6-month period in pediatric outpatient primary care clinics.
  • Proportions of children in presumptive TB and active TB registers were compared before and after implementation.

Main Results:

  • Out of 1787 children screened, 376 (21%) met presumptive TB criteria.
  • A statistically significant increase in the proportion of children in presumptive TB registers was observed (10.7% vs. 16.2%, P = 0.0005).
  • Healthcare workers reported the application expedited the presumptive TB screening process.

Conclusions:

  • The community health volunteer-led mobile screening intervention significantly increased presumptive TB notification rates.
  • Healthcare workers found the mobile screening intervention to be feasible, appropriate, and effective.
  • Mobile health interventions show promise for enhancing pediatric TB screening in resource-limited settings.

More Related Videos

A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay TB-MBLA10:41

A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay TB-MBLA

Published on: April 30, 2020

14.3K
Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFU Determination for Efficient Assessment of TB Vaccine Efficacy and Antigen Presentation Analysis06:26

Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFU Determination for Efficient Assessment of TB Vaccine Efficacy and Antigen Presentation Analysis

Published on: July 28, 2023

2.6K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
251
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
287
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
446
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
784
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
563