Expanding TB screening in congregate settings

Blog / Expanding TB screening in congregate settings

January 09, 2026
Holistic Health & Wellness

The initiative is being implemented by Resources Oriented Development Initiatives In Nairobi and Kiambu Counties under the Kenya innovation challenge fund with financial support from Global fund through Amref Health Africa in Kenya. The  innovation “EXPANDING TB SCREENING IN CONGREGATE SETTINGS TO INCLUDE: DETAINEES IN POLICE CELLS; REPORTEES; POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES”  aims at finding the missing people with TB in police station community. Currently the initiative is being implemented in 20 police stations in collaboration with the National Police Service (NPS). The objectives are: 1:To identify and screen the target population for TB in the community- ACF at police stations 2:To refer those with TB symptoms from the police stations for diagnosis at health facilities. 3:To strengthen social accountability and linkages between police stations and Health facilities 4:To ensure correct documentation and prompt notification of those diagnosed with TB The innovation has the following key interventions:

  1. Awareness creation and TB screening among the target population by trained police officers and TB screening Volunteers in targeted police stations
  2. Sputum sample collection among the target population presumptive for TB and transportation to the GeneXpert sites and Microscopy sites for diagnosis
  3. Chest X-rays for those who test negative, though presumptive
  4. Treatment initiation for those diagnosed positive for TB through linkages with TB treatment sites.
  5. Documentation of all processes along the cascade of care- Those screened, presumptive, sample collected on site, referrals, sputum samples tested, diagnosed with TB (KIC TB prefix) started on treatment.- KIC TB prefix

The imitative has engaged the following strategies to increase case finding:

  1. Capacity enhancement for TB screening volunteers to improve quality screening and on spot sputum collection
  2. Enhancing linkages with health facilities to ensure success in referrals- escorted referrals and use of referral documentation tools
  3. Engaging more motorcycle riders to support transportation of sputum samples
  4. Increasing follow up of referrals - with target individuals and health facilities
  5. Increased X-ray support for those who test negative and experience TB signs- mapping of X-ray sites

By October 2023, the initiative has contributed to TB Case finding and notification of 536 positive cases , of which 96 % have been initiated in treatment.

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