Lessons learned during tuberculosis screening in public medical clinics in Francistown, Botswana.
In Botswana, where one quarter of the adult population is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and the annual tuberculosis (TB) incidence is among the highest globally, intensified TB case finding is needed in health care facilities to detect and treat TB cases early and prevent  transmission. During August-December 2009, TB screening was implemented among adults at patient intake in five clinics in Francistown. Among 11 779 TB screenings at intake, 926 were positive. Nineteen patients were diagnosed with TB. Routine TB screening at intake was operationally  feasible, but had low yield. Innovative case-finding strategies are needed in Botswana.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. dpu2@cdc.gov
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Bloss
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Makombe
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Chirenda
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Gammino
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Creek
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Oeltmann
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001902:Botswana; D057189:Checklist; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011634:Public Health; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission