Preventive Treatment Demonstration in Bangladesh

Preventive Treatment Demonstration in Bangladesh

The primary mode for the spread of TB is person to person, and it is estimated that a person with TB can infect up to 15 individuals each year until that patient starts treatment and is rendered non-infectious. The USAID-funded Challenge TB project implemented a demonstration initiative that provided preventive treatment for household contacts of TB patients. The main objective was to quantify the effect of contact investigation and assess the acceptability of treatment. This technical highlight demonstrates that identification of potential household contacts for preventive treatment and high treatment completion could be achieved through a well-designed, community-based program involving appropriately trained health workers.