Community-based approaches to improve tuberculosis services: observations from preintervention and postintervention surveys in a high TB burden disadvantaged community in India

An alarmingly high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) was reported among the Saharia tribe in Madhya Pradesh, India. A community-based intervention study was undertaken to improve TB case finding during 2018-2021. The interventions mainly comprised active case detection through village TB volunteers using advocacy, communication and social mobilisation activities. A preintervention and postintervention survey design was adopted to assess the impact of intervention. The prevalence declined from 1357 (95% CI 1206 to 1527) to 752 (95% CI 646 to 875) per 100 000 population (p<0.001). The study findings highlight the importance of innovative community-based approaches in controlling TB in high burden areas.