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A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA)
Published on: April 30, 2020
Tuberculosis preventive therapy in Sierra Leone: early implementation gaps and lessons learned
L Farma-Grant1, J S Kanu2,3, B Molleh4
1Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Background:
In 2023, Sierra Leone started tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) implementation. The tuberculosis programme recommends four contacts per index case for tracing and screening.
Methods:
This study was to assess the performance of early implementation of contact tracing, screening, and TPT uptake in five regional hospitals.
Results:
Of 905 index cases recorded, 1,222 contacts were traced and screened by community health workers. Of these, 433 were enrolled into TPT, and 353 (82%) completed the TPT regimen. Eighty out of 353 (18%) on TPT were lost to follow-up.
Conclusion:
Deficiencies in documenting contacts and logistical constraints to trace, screen, and follow up for enrolment and completion of TPT need to be addressed for TPT scale-up.
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