13 Aug Stop TB Partnership-Kenya and Central Organization of Trade Union team up to screen workers for TB
[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”normal” thickness=”2″ up=”20″ down=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”nivo” interval=”5″ images=”1759,1760″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]In 2017, Stop TB Partnership-Kenya started collaborating with the Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) in the hopes of conducting TB searches among workers to improve their health and consequently, their productivity. With this in mind, Labour Day – which is celebrated on May 1st – was deemed a perfect occasion to carry out TB case finding interventions.
In the lead up to the date, StopTB Partnership-Kenya, together with COTU and the National TB Program conducted TB screenings in 2 sites: Penta flower farm in Muranga county and Gikomba, one of the largest open-air markets in Nairobi county, where COTU is located. This was part of a medical camp jointly organized with COTU and its partners, which include Visions Springs (who offer eye services), Jacaranda Maternity Hospital, National Hospital Insurance Fund, Swedish Workplace HIV/AIDS Programe, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union, and City Eye Hospital.
This pilot was carried out in collaboration with partners who are not necessarily medical in nature and who have not been previously involved in TB response; it has created interest in new stakeholders integrating TB interventions in health programs.
In Muranga County a total of 150 people were screened for TB. 19 sputum samples were collected and sent to Muranga County Hospital for geneXpert tests, follow-up and treatment.
The actual Labour Day celebration was held at Uhuru Park with an attendance of over 2’000 people. There, TB screenings were conducted with the aid of mobile x-rays. This granted access to people who wouldn’t otherwise present themselves to a health facility due to the nature of their work. Bringing chest x-rays to where the people were already gathered for the celebration proved to reach more people and in the comfort of their setting. This TB case finding approach used existing platforms and was therefore cost effective.
On May 1st, 104 people were screened for TB: 63 males and 4 females. 51 people were screened using chest x-rays, out of which 10 presented abnormalities and 2 were suggestive of TB.
During all screening activities, it was evident that there were more men than women available at the screening sites. This could be attributed to the fact that men are more involved in economic activities while women stay at home. As a response, it would be useful in the future to target women at their own homes for TB screening.
The 31st of August, 2018 marks the Aids Health Care Foundation’s (AHF) 10th anniversary. On the days leading up to this date, a TB screening initiative will be held in one of the police stations in Nairobi, targeting the people in the cells, the police staff and their families, as well as residents of the Mathare slum nearby.
Going forward, StopTB-Kenya plans to hold meetings with partners to scale up TB screenings and other medical check ups to 2 more work places: a flower farm in Naivasha of Nakuru County and an industrial company in Kitengela within Kajiado County. Moreover, there are also plans to partner with the elected Women Representative of Nairobi County to integrate TB screening during Civic education sessions within Nairobi County.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]