This project aims to improve the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children under the age of 5 by integrating TB screening into seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns and by training healthcare personnel in new treatment decision-making protocols.
Context
In Cameroon, TB and malaria remain endemic diseases, particularly affecting children. Yet, screening and diagnosis in young children are inadequate—only 6% of reported TB cases in 2021 were among children. Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a proven intervention that reaches children under 5, a group also at high risk for TB and severe forms of the disease after exposure. By integrating TB screening into SMC campaigns, this project seeks to enhance TB screening coverage among at-risk children.
Description
To improve TB diagnosis in children under 5, the INTEGRES-TB project plans to:
- Integrate TB screening into SMC campaigns;
- Strengthen the TB diagnostic skills of healthcare staff at health centers;
- Document the value of scaling up this approach through operational research to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of capacity-building efforts in child TB screening and diagnosis.
The project will pay special attention to addressing gender-related barriers to accessing diagnosis and care.
Impact
The integration of TB screening into SMC campaigns is an innovative approach. This combined malaria/TB strategy aims to make better use of resources, aligning with the Global Fund’s “Health Systems Strengthening” pillar. It is expected to increase the number of children treated and reduce child mortality from TB through better screening coverage and enhanced diagnostic capacities for children under 5.
