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Mahler B, Băiceanu D, Stoichiță A, Dendrino D, Mihai M, Ciolan G, Ibraim E, Munteanu I, Popa C, Burecu M, Rusu P, Cioacată A, Moșteanu IM, Dragomir A. Active Case-Finding: An Effective Solution for Tuberculosis Detection in Vulnerable Groups - The Romanian Experience. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2024; 17:1115-1125. [PMID: 38778920 PMCID: PMC11110982 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s458722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge, requiring enhanced active case finding (ACF) through screening strategies. This study assesses the effectiveness of such an approach in locating TB cases among vulnerable groups, such as homeless persons, injecting drug users, those detained in prison, and people living in rural areas. Methods The study focuses on socio-economic characteristics and TB detection rates across Romanian counties using modern techniques including computer-aided detection of lesions on chest X-ray and GeneXpert tests. Results The results highlight the disproportionate burden of TB in vulnerable groups, by revealing significant differences in TB detection rates between regions. Notably, the TB detection rates among these vulnerable groups (250.85 per 100,000 population) are five times higher than the national incidence rate (46.1). Discussion These findings underscore the imperative integration of ACF into National TB Program to provide customized and efficient solutions for diverse vulnerable groups, thereby informing crucial public health initiatives and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Mahler
- Pneumology II Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Pneumology Clinic, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragoș Băiceanu
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Research Department, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Stoichiță
- Pneumology II Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Pneumology Clinic, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragoș Dendrino
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Mihai
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Economic Cybernetics, Statistics and Informatics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gina Ciolan
- Pneumology Clinic, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Elmira Ibraim
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Research Department, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioana Munteanu
- Pneumology Clinic, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristina Popa
- Pneumology Clinic, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mădălina Burecu
- Pneumology Clinic, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Paula Rusu
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andreea Cioacată
- Pneumology Clinic, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioana Mădălina Moșteanu
- Pneumology Clinic, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Antonela Dragomir
- Pneumology II Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Pneumology Clinic, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Tuberculosis Screening Program, “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
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