Location: Malawi // Organization: Delft Imaging
Introduction
Malawi faces a significant burden of TB, particularly among miners, who account for 14% of the TB prevalence. Despite this, efforts to address TB among key populations have been limited. In 2023, the National TB and Leprosy Elimination Program collaborated with mining and construction companies to conduct targeted TB screening in 48 companies.
Intervention
- Delft’s Mobile Clinics, equipped with EasyDR stationary X-ray, CAD4TB, and GeneXpert, were deployed to screen workers and host communities.
- The program conducted parallel screening of symptoms and digital X-rays using CAD4TB to identify presumptive TB cases, which were then further evaluated by Xpert.
Result
- A total of 5,461 individuals were screened, with 342 (6.1%) showing presumptive TB. 51 (14.9%) were diagnosed with active TB: 31 (60.8%) were bacteriologically confirmed, and 20 (39.2%) were clinically diagnosed.
- The data highlighted a significant occupational risk, with a substantial number of TB cases among mine workers.
Conclusion
- Targeted TB screening yielded a high number of TB cases, underscoring the urgent need for expanded efforts among key populations.
- The program needs to conduct regular TB screening in mining and construction companies and include more sites across the country.
REFERENCE: Mbendera, K. et al (2024, November 12-15). Scaling up targeted TB screening among miners and construction workers in Malawi: A collaborative approach towards TB elimination [Presentation]. The Union World Conference on Lung Health, Bali, Indonesia.
