Nigeria – Active TB Case-finding in Prisons Delft Light & CAD4TB, OneStopTB Clinic
Systematic TB screening across Nigerian prisons using digital chest X-ray with CAD4TB and mobile diagnostic clinics achieved high TB yields and strong treatment linkage. The results confirm prisons as high-risk settings and demonstrate the added value of AI-supported X-ray screening over symptom screening alone.
TB screening in correctional facilities
Active TB case finding was implemented in prisons across Nigeria to address high transmission risk.
Trained prison health teams
Prison health staff were trained to support systematic TB screening following advocacy with authorities.
Digital X-ray and AI screening
Screening used portable digital X-ray systems or mobile clinics equipped with CAD4TB and GeneXpert.
Presumptive TB evaluation and treatment
Presumptive TB cases were evaluated, and diagnosed patients were linked to TB treatment.
From January to August 2022, 26,615 inmates were screened,
- There was a higher TB yield (17%) from screening done with the digital chest X-ray with CAD4TB compared to screening done with W4SS alone (TB yield of 5%).
- Given the high yield of TB cases, it is inferable that prisons are hotspots for Tuberculosis.
- Three times more TB cases were diagnosed with digital X-ray screening with CAD4TB compared to W4SS.
- We propose routine biannual screening using Chest X-rays with AI in Nigerian penitentiary institutions.
REFERENCE: Chukwuogo, O. (2023, November 15-18). Yield from active TB case-finding activities in prisons: implications for routine TB screening in Nigerian penitentiary institutions [Conference session]. The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2023, Paris, France.