The WITS Health Consortium CAB took part in two events relating to World TB Day this year; TB Imbizo on March 4, 2011 at the Westbury Community Hall, and a TB Information Day at Helen Joseph Hospital on March 24, 2011.
The TB Imbizo, an annual event, was hosted in collaboration with the local Department of Health and attracted individuals from within the community. The Imbizo provides an opportunity for government to communicate its Programme of Action and the progress being made, promote public participation in various programmes, and address people's concerns, grievances and advice about government's work.
More than 120 individuals attended the Imbizo on March 4th this year. Various TB-related topics were discussed, and questions were posed to the community, who then worked in groups and gave feedback. The Clinical HIV Research Unit (CHRU) talked about TB drug research, and studies that were being conducted at Helen Joseph Hospital.
Some community concerns and issues that were raised during the Imbizo included:
· Communication to community members relating to trials/trial outcomes
· Role of traditional healers/’herbalists’ in trials
· Use of animals in the research process
· Local enrollment in the REMox TB trial
· HIV/TB co-infection
Promotional T-shirts, pamphlets and bags were handed out on the day. Lunch was also provided.
The community gave very positive feedback regarding the event.
The TB Information Day was held on 24 March2011 at Helen Joseph Hospital. “Stalls”/information desks were positioned in three of the busiest waiting areas of the hospital, namely: the Polyclinic, Main Hospital Pharmacy, and Themba Lethu Clinic (HIV clinic) waiting areas. These desks were managed by staff from the hospital’s TB clinic; CHRU study staff and CAB members.
· At each desk information pamphlets were handed to patients (Department of Health -sponsored pamphlets)
· Information was relayed by CAB members/clinic staff/research staff to the public. Community members also utilised this opportunity to ask many ‘general’ health related questions, ranging from TB/HIV to gynaecological/orthopaedic issues etc.
· Promotional items (T-shirts)/bags/pencil cases and TB broaches were handed to patients
· Information regarding TB drug research was relayed to the community
· TB testing was offered: 104 sputum specimens were collected and sent for TB investigation. These results will be followed up appropriately as per Department of Health guidelines.
Both these events proved to be very successful and informative, educating the local community about TB, Clinical Research and TB/HIV.