Community-Based Tuberculosis Screening Programmes in Urban and Semi-Urban Slums of Nigeria: A Comparative Evaluation in 2011

This study examines community-based tuberculosis screening programmes in urban and semi-urban slums of Nigeria, focusing on their effectiveness in addressing high rates of TB prevalence among vulnerable populations. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving quantitative data collection through surveys and health records analysis, and qualitative insights from interviews with community members and programme stakeholders. Community-based screening in urban slums showed a higher rate of TB case detection compared to semi-urban areas, with an average of 20% more cases identified among the surveyed population. Interviews revealed that participants were primarily motivated by financial incentives offered alongside health education sessions. The findings suggest that integrating financial incentives and comprehensive health education significantly enhances participation in community-based TB screening programmes, particularly in urban slums where resource constraints are less pronounced. Health authorities should prioritise the replication of successful models in semi-urban areas to improve overall TB detection rates. Future research could explore the long-term sustainability of these interventions. Tuberculosis, Community-based screening, Urban slums, Nigeria, Public health