Rwanda Launches the national Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey
The Ministry of Health through its Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) will officially launch a national tuberculosis prevalence survey in Rukumberi sector, Ngoma District in the Eastern Province this Tuesday 8th May, 2012.
Each year, between 6.700 and 8.000 new cases of TB are reported in the country. It is an infectious disease whose incidence has increased with the advent of HIV and it continues to be a health burden. Also, because it is an airborne disease, its transmission is fairly easy.
One of the objectives of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to reduce by 50% TB prevalence rate and this is the 6th objectives of the MDGs in which the government of Rwanda is also committed too. Until now, we don’t have data to measure the progress regarding to the TB prevalence.
Under its Tuberculosis and Other Respiratory Diseases Division (TB&ORD Division) in RBC, this survey will be conducted during 9 months countrywide and the sample size is 44.530 participants selected in 73 sectors randomly in 30 Districts. The average size of participants selected in each sector is 610 persons aged 15 years and above.
The screening strategy is to conduct a short interview by asking the eligible subject about Tuberculosis symptoms that they may have and will undergo chest x ray. Thereafter for those who will have positive screening will be considered as TB suspects. All those who are TB suspected will be questioned in deep on TB risk factors and their behaviors about TB symptoms care seeking.
We request the kind support and contribution from our distinguished and estimated partner’s journalists from different media houses, to spread this information for the success of this important actively.
The success of this activity needs a full participation of the Rwandan community in the survey. During these 9 months, the communities within the selected sectors will be informed two weeks before starting the activities by local authorities, health providers and community health workers in their catchment areas. The community will be also be sensitized through spot radio and TV, radio programs and meetings at community level. Ends.
