Comparative Effectiveness/Implementation of TB Case Finding in Rural South Africa

Comparative Effectiveness/Implementation of TB Case Finding in Rural South Africa

The purpose of this study is to compare three strategies for finding TB cases in a rural Sub-Saharan African setting: 1) Screening all attendees of primary care clinics for TB; 2) Conducting household contact investigations of newly diagnosed TB cases; 3) Providing incentives to newly diagnosed TB cases and their contacts to promote contact screening for TB. For each intervention, investigators will measure comparative effectiveness in terms of cases identified as well as the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of implementation.

Inclusion Criteria:

Facility-based screening arm

• Age 0-99 years
• Informed consent provided (or assent plus parent/guardian consent)
• Attending any of the study 28 study clinics in the facility-based screening arm

Contact tracing arm- Index Case

• Age 0-99 years
• Informed consent provided (or assent plus parent/guardian consent)
• Newly diagnosed (last 2 months) with TB at any of the 28 study clinics in the contact tracing arm

Contact tracing arm- Household Contact

• Age 0-99 years
• Informed consent provided (or assent plus parent/guardian consent)
• Living in the same household as an enrolled Index case (see above)

Contact tracing arm- Non-household Close Contact

• Age 0-99 years
• Informed consent provided (or assent plus parent/guardian consent)
• Referred to the study as a close contact of an enrolled Index case (see above)

Exclusion Criteria (all arms):

• Unable to provide informed consent.