A Comprehensive TB Awareness Programme

Introduction

The Kerala TB Elimination Mission is being implemented through local self-government bodies with the theme “My TB-free Panchayat/ Municipality / Corporation”. As part of "My TB free" Panchayat, an intensive TB awareness program was implemented by the Kunhimangalam Gram Panchayat in Kannur District. 

Objectives

The aim of the program was to create awareness among the entire population of the Gram Panchayat about the transmission, treatment, and prevention of TB. Awareness, screening, and monthly review meetings will continue to be organized and symptomatic persons will be screened for further health management.

Approaches & Key strategies

Panchayat-level committee:

• A Panchayat meeting was held on March 15, 2022 under the chairmanship of the Gram Panchayat President. People’s representatives, health workers, volunteer workers, Kudumbashree workers, etc. participated and formed a Panchayat-level committee to plan the activities.

Seminar on TB:

• On March 22, an extensive seminar was conducted at the Gram Panchayat level with the cooperation of Payyannur Tuberculosis Unit (TU).
• The Gram Panchayat President presided over the meeting; the TU Medical Officer presented the subject and the Health Inspector explained matters related to the program.
• People’s representatives, political and social activists, health workers, Kudumbashree activists, representatives of various departments, religious leaders, volunteer activists, library-club activists and business representatives participated in the seminar.

Squad formation:

• Ward level health and nutrition committees met and formed seven squads in each ward under the leadership of people’s representatives.
• 92 squads have been formed at Gram Panchayat level and the squad members were trained by the Medical Officer and Health Inspector at the Family Health Centre.
• The Junior Health Inspector ( JHI) and Junior Public Health Nurse ( JPHN) were assigned the charge of all 14 wards.

IEC Activities:

• TB Awareness activities were undertaken in 14 Gram Sabhas.
• The seminar and sessions were organized with the help of the National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit of Payyannur and Sanskrit Colleges and Student Police Cadets of Kunhimangalam.
• Awareness sessions were held and a pledge to end TB was recited by the Area Development Society (ADS), CDS (Community Development Society), and 161 Kudumbasree Self-Help Groups.
• Awareness was given to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers.
• Ensured TB awareness through the weekly Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) camps, UPI clinics and COVID-19 vaccination camps
• Special awareness program were conducted for auto drivers, orphanages, colonies, the elderly, and for migrant workers.
• Homeo and Ayurveda Hospitals were also provided sputum cups for testing and ensured IEC. Six people were referred to the Family Health Centre (FHC).
• Participation was ensured in the private clinic of the Panchayat.
• Sessions on TB were organized in all Anganwadis and schools and questionnaires and notices were distributed.
• Awareness notices were given in all the clubs, reading rooms, workplaces, workshops, and religious places.
• 6000 awareness notices and 15000 questionnaires were printed in collaboration with LSG and distributed to 5210 houses under the leadership of people’s representatives, health workers, and volunteers.
• An MLA released the notice and questionnaire during the Panchayat-level Working Group General Body meeting. After that, Gram Panchayat members released and distributed the questionnaires at the ward level.
• The completed questionnaires were collected from 14 wards. Special boxes were prepared for depositing the questionnaires at Gram Panchayat Office, Family Health Centre, and Anganwadi.
• Media/social media engagement was ensured for the promotion of the programme.

Program review

• A Panchayat-level Rapid Response Team conducted a separate review.
• A review was conducted at the ICDS sector meeting.
• A Panchayat-level meeting was held once a week under the leadership of the Gram Panchayat president and a review was conducted.
• A special ASHA review meeting was conducted twice a month.

Result/Outcome

• Through this comprehensive TB awareness program, 86 presumptive persons were found during the squad operation and underwent a sputum test. One of them was diagnosed with TB.
• On June 14, 2022, the Hon’ble MLA Shri. M. Vijin Kallyassery Niyojakamandalam declared Kunhimangalam a complete TB Awareness Panchayat.

Comprehensive Tuberculosis Awareness Program – March, April 2022

• Total houses - 5362
• Houses visited - 5210
• Total Squads formed - 92
• Total Notices issued - 6000
• Total distributed questionnaires - 15000
• Total awareness classes conducted - 304
• Participation - 7977
• Sputum test done for symptomatic - 86
• Disease confirmed by sputum test - 01

Source : TBC India