Yield of pulmonary tuberculosis cases by employing two screening methods in a community survey.

Gopi, P.G.; Subramani, R.; Sadacharam, K.; Narayanan, P.R.

International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease; 2006; 10; 343-345.

Summary : Objective: To compare the yield of tuberculosis (TB) cases by two screening methods.

Setting: Two disease surveys conducted in Tiruvallur, south India.

Results: Of bacteriologically confirmed cases, 60% were identified by symptom inquiry alone whereas 82% were identified using chest radiography (CXR).

Conclusion: The prevalence of TB was underestimated by both methods. The total cases in this community can be estimated by multiplying the number of identified cases by a correction factor (CF) of 1.7 when symptom inquiry alone is used or 1.2 when CXR is used. The CF may be different in other settings.

Keywords: yield of cases; symptoms; chest X-ray

Back to List of publications / Home