Impact of an Instructional Video for TB Case Detection in Tanzania
Over a decade of global health investments made a difference for one little girl, Aflozia, at a health clinic with her mother in Taznania. Aflozia’s mother speaks with the doctor to explain her daughter’s symptoms. / Rachel Chilton, USAID/Tanzania
Study Context
Tuberculosis (TB) is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide with 1.4 million deaths in 2017 (Global Tuberculosis Report 2018, WHO). However, there are several challenges to detecting TB in low-and middle income countries. For example, in Tanzania, a national TB prevalence survey indicates that the detection rate of infectious TB might be as low as 50%. This may be the result of suboptimal diagnostic procedures: the performance of laboratory testing to detect bacterium that causes TB in humans largely depends on the quality of sputum (spit) samples collected.
Study Design
This RCT studies an innovative way of improving the quality of samples by measuring the effect of instructional videos on producing sputum and supplemental guidance to clinics. Findings from this low-cost intervention could have a large impact on TB detection rates through improving community understanding of TB, as well as ease the burden on health workers’ time.
Results and Policy Lessons
Results forthcoming.
