Awareness and Action: TB Screenings During World TB Day Commemoration in Indonesia

In March and April, USAID BEBAS-TB joined hands with local governments to conduct several active case finding (ACF) events in recognition of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. This initiative spotlights the importance of early TB detection and treatment and the success of ACF in Indonesia.

ACF is pivotal in combating TB, especially in identifying latent TB cases, where individuals remain asymptomatic and non-contagious. There are an estimated 91 million people in Indonesia infected with TB, making screening and preventive treatment a top priority for TB detection and control. Screening and educational events in primary health centers help identify and treat people living with TB and begin TB preventative therapy (TPT) for at-risk groups. Research shows that TPT can reduce rates of progression from infection to active TB, offering hope for effective disease management.[1]

By targeting individuals vulnerable to TB—like the elderly and people living with HIV, diabetes, or malnutrition—these initiatives have yielded positive results. At a screening event at Tanah Jawa Primary Health Center, North Sumatra, over 220 individuals were screened, surpassing the 150-person target. Thanks to a collaboration with the local private clinic Klinik Anugrah Ibu, the event offered mobile chest X-ray screenings, yielding more results. Chest X-rays are valuable in identifying abnormalities in the lungs and support the clinical diagnosis of TB. Similar ACF events took place across other districts in North Sumatra and East Java, reaching more participants and increasing the TB detection rate. In the first quarter of 2024, treatment coverage in East Java was just 69%, while in North Sumatra 70% of cases are detected. USAID BEBAS-TB supports detection efforts so more cases can be found, breaking the cycle of TB transmission.

Furthermore, educational efforts are integral to the USAID BEBAS-TB strategy, fostering community understanding of TB prevention, detection, and treatment. Educational materials displayed throughout health centers give participants a chance to better understand TB and why TPT is important for individual and public health. Such initiatives aim to boost TB detection rates and encourage more people to initiate treatment. In the first quarter of 2024, USAID BEBAS-TB found that less than 10% of household contact TB cases initiated TPT. “To change the behavior of the communities, educational materials should align with the persuasive communication done by the health workers,” said Erik Post, USAID BEBAS-TB Chief of Party. “Early detection of TB, whether active or latent, is important for communities to have a healthier future.”

Looking ahead, USAID BEBAS-TB remains committed to expanding ACF and preventive efforts across North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, and East Java. With plans to screen more individuals in primary health centers and support intensified case finding and TPT in 1,200 health facilities, the impact of this collaborative work is poised to grow.

These World TB Day screenings underscore the success of collaborative, localized approaches in TB case detection and control. By partnering with health care facilities, the public and private sectors, and local government, USAID BEBAS-TB demonstrates a commitment to strengthening the Indonesian health care system in its effort to eliminate TB by 2030.

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[1] Kiazyk, S, and T B Ball. “Latent Tuberculosis Infection: An Overview.” Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada, March 2, 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5764738/.