Results of the Gambian Survey of Tuberculosis Prevalence in 2016 revealed that 128 in 100,000 people have Tuberculosis, according to a medical report by the internationally-acclaimed Medical Research Council (MRC) in The Gambia.The survey conducted with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Programme (NTLP) of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare showed that the burden of the disease remained high during the period under review.
According to the report, the survey estimating the population prevalence of active pulmonary TB disease in the country, was necessitated by the need for improved evidence-based interventions in TB control in the country.
”Although the prevalence is lower than estimated by previous models, the study highlighted the significant burden of TB in men compared to women”, the report said.
It further stated that significant undetected TB cases existed, as only 5 percent of TB cases identified during the survey were already on treatment. It added that less than half of all cases would have been identified if smear microscopy were the only diagnostic modality used.
Key messages highlighted in the survey report are that ”successful control efforts will require interventions targeting men, increased access to radiography and more accurate, rapid diagnostic tests.”
Source: Journal du Cameroun