Effect of community awareness, screening, testing, and treatment campaigns on TB prevention.
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Date
2026-02-27
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) is a critical intervention for reducing TB incidence among high-risk groups, including people with HIV (PWH) and household contacts (HHCs). Despite its effectiveness, global TPT coverage remains suboptimal, particularly in high-burden settings like Uganda.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of community-based CAST-TB campaigns on TPT initiations among PWH and HHCs in central Uganda.
Methods: This single-group interrupted time series analysis used de-identified, aggregated TPT data from 105 TB clinics across eight districts in central Uganda (January 2020–December 2021). The intervention phase (2021) was compared with a pre-intervention phase (2020) using Bayesian Structural Time Series modeling to estimate pointwise and cumulative causal effects.
Results: Among HHCs, TPT initiations increased by 1,853 (95% CrI: 1,102–2,691), representing a relative increase of 121% (95% CrI: 72–176; p = 0.001). Among PWH, initiations increased by 1,346 (95% CrI: –729 to 3,680), with a relative increase of 12% (95% CrI: –6.3–32; p = 0.069), which was not statistically significant. Children under five years experienced a significant relative increase of 84% (95% CrI: 68–102; p = 0.001).
Conclusion: CAST-TB campaigns significantly improved TPT initiation among HHCs and young children, with more modest effects among PWH. Community-based, integrated campaigns can enhance TPT uptake in resource-limited settings. Sustaining gains will require strengthening follow-up systems and ensuring uninterrupted TPT supply.
Description
This paper aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by advancing TB prevention among high-risk groups, and NDP IV by strengthening community-based health service delivery. Its contribution includes evidence that integrated CAST-TB campaigns significantly improve preventive treatment uptake, supporting Uganda’s goals of reducing TB burden and enhancing universal health coverage through decentralized, person-centered care.
Keywords
CAST-TB, HIV, TBI, TPT, Uganda, Tuberculosis
Citation
Mulebeke, R., Izudi, J., Agaba, S., Bwalatum, J. E. O., & Jaganath, D. (2026). Effect of community awareness, screening, testing, and treatment campaigns on TB prevention. The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease: the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 30(3), 137-141.