Today, the Ministry of Health through its National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Disease Program (NTLD-Program) marked a great milestone at the launch of Kenya’s first TB survey since independence.
Kenya’s last TB Prevalence Survey was carried out in 1958 – 1959 when over 80% of the nation’s current population was not born. The Ministry of Health and development partners have relied on existing TB surveillance data to estimate the burden of TB.
Current World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates for prevalence, incidence and case detection rate are based on a number of assumptions including: the known or estimated annual risk of TB infection, HIV prevalence and socioeconomic factors. The 2015-2016 TB survey will provide an accurate estimate of Kenya’s TB burden, determine the existing challenges in accessing TB testing and treatment, and characterize persons identified with TB that were not yet detected by the National TB program.
The process of the survey will involve a visit to individual households and invite those over 15 years of age to a nearby mobile field site located at a school or community hall. At the field site, participants will be interviewed on features of TB, requested for a chest x-ray and asked to provide a sputum sample. The survey findings will inform strategic TB interventions that address challenges faced in controlling TB and will go a long way in helping the country achieve globally recommended TB control targets by 2050.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Medical Services, Dr Nicholas Muraguri said “(Public and Private) Partnership is one of the many pillars that support the work of the Ministry of Health. This partnership approach guarantees that this survey is informed by the combined best thinking of a broad range of stakeholders to ensure its success.”
Dr Nicholas Muraguri, Director of Medical Services (DMS) addresses guests at the Prevalence Survey Launch
The survey is a major undertaking that will require massive financial and human resources. With funding from USAID through its Tuberculosis Accelerated Response and Care (TB ARC) activity, CHS will provide logistical support for the field teams as well as technology support through tools for data collection.
TB Prevalence Survey Information Materials for download:
