ABSTRACTBackground: Household contact investigation of Tuberculosis (TB) index cases offers the opportunity for early case detection among persons with latent TB infection (LTBI). Active case finding and contact investigation among households and close contacts of infectious TB clients has proven effective to control Tuberculosis worldwide as recommended by the World …
See more
ABSTRACTBackground: Household contact investigation of Tuberculosis (TB) index cases offers the opportunity for early case detection among persons with latent TB infection (LTBI). Active case finding and contact investigation among households and close contacts of infectious TB clients has proven effective to control Tuberculosis worldwide as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for middle and high TB burden settings. Therefore, this study sought to assess Tuberculosis contact tracing in High Burden Districts in Ashanti Region of GhanaMethod: A qualitative approach was applied. Purposive sampling was adopted for the selection of study participants. Respondents were selected from fourteen (14) high burden districts in Ashanti Region of Ghana. Data collection tool used was a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Data triangulation and editorial check was performed. Thematic content analysis was done using QSR Nvivo version 11 software. These were transformed into codebook containing definitions. Results: Misconception about TB persists. Inadequate documentation, funding and logistics issues and fear of social stigmatization impedes TB contact tracing. Adequate funding and logistic, improved staff-client relationship and use of health volunteers were identified as strategies to combat impending barriers to TB contact tracing.Conclusion: Study respondents should be educated on TB and its management. Health care workers should be adequately equipped to deliver quality services.
See less
