Publications
Challenges from tuberculosis diagnosis to care in community-based active case finding among the urban poor in Cambodia Institute of Tropical Medicine University of Antwerp
BACKGROUND: While community-based active case finding (ACF) for tuberculosis (TB) holds promise for increasing early case detection among hard-to-reach populations, limited data exist on the acceptability of active screening. We aimed to identify barriers and explore facilitators on the pathway from diagnosis to care among TB patients and health providers.
METHODS: Mixed-methods study. We administered a survey questionnaire to, and ...
Community referral for presumptive TB in Nigeria: a comparison of four models of active case finding Institute of Tropical Medicine
Background: Engagement of communities and civil society organizations is a critical part of the Post-2015 End TB Strategy. Since 2007, many models of community referral have been implemented to boost TB case detection in Nigeria. Yet clear insights into the comparative TB yield from particular approaches have been limited.
Methods: We compared four models of active case finding in three Nigerian states. Data on presumptive TB case ...
Brief Report: Active HIV Case Finding in the City of Kigali, Rwanda: Assessment of Voluntary Assisted Partner Notification Modalities to Detect Undiagnosed HIV Infections Hasselt University
Community-based active tuberculosis case finding in poor urban settlements of Phnom Penh, Cambodia: a feasible and effective strategy Institute of Tropical Medicine University of Antwerp
BACKGROUND: In light of the limitations of the current case finding strategies and the global urgency to improve tuberculosis (TB) case-detection, a renewed interest in active case finding (ACF) has risen. The WHO calls for more evidence on innovative ways of TB screening, especially from low-income countries, to inform global guideline development. We aimed to assess the feasibility of community-based ACF for TB among the urban poor in ...
Is frontloaded sputum microscopy an option in active tuberculosis case finding? Institute of Tropical Medicine University of Antwerp
SETTING: Active tuberculosis (TB) case finding (ACF) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia using light-emitting diode fluorescence microscopy (FM).
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the smear-positive yield of frontloaded (same-day) smear microscopy in ACF.
DESIGN: All presumptive TB cases screened through ACF were asked to provide three sputum specimens: two spot specimens on Day 1 and a morning specimen on Day 2 (spot-spot-morning, SSM). Laboratory ...
Performance of algorithms for tuberculosis active case finding in underserved high-prevalence settings in Cambodia: a cross-sectional study Institute of Tropical Medicine
Background: Most studies evaluate active case findings (ACF) for bacteriologically confirmed TB. Adapted diagnostic approaches are needed to identify cases with lower bacillary loads. Objectives: To assess the likelihood of diagnosing all forms of TB, including clinically diagnosed pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB, using different ACF algorithms in Cambodia.
Methods: Clients were stratified into 'high-risk' (presumptive TB plus TB ...