Author/Authors :
Otimem, S. World Health Organization - Stop TB Department, Switzerland , Ziqnol, M. World Health Organization - Stop TB Department, Switzerland , Blanc, L. World Health Organization - Stop TB Department, Switzerland , Bencbelkh, N. Ministry of Health, Morocco , Laasri, L. Ministry of Health, Morocco , Mahjour, J. Ministry of Health, Morocco
Abstract :
We reviewed data collected from 1993 to 2004 as part of the routine activities of the national tuberculosis (TB) control programme (NTP) in Morocco. More than 1 million household TB contacts were identified in approximately 200 000 investigations. On average, 77% of identified contacts were screened every year; overall prevalence was 2.5%. The proportion of TB cases identified in household contacts of registered cases was 5.6%. This was significantly higher in children under 10 years and in patients registered and diagnosed with symptomatic primary complex. Performing TB contact investigations as part of the routine activities of NTP services is feasible in low-middle-income countries.
