On March 24, 2009 the TB Alliance Community Engagement Program sponsored Community Advisory Boards (CABs) at four REMoxTB clinical trial sites to organize and participate in local or regional activities in recognition of World TB Day. REMoxTB CABs in Mbeya and Moshi, Tanzania; Lusaka, Zambia; and Durban, South Africa coordinated activities to raise awareness about TB disease, treatment and research for new TB drugs. Below is a brief description of activities and events from each of the sites, as written by the participants.
World TB Day - Mbeya, Tanzania
Gabriel Njeza and Erica Sanga
In the Mbeya region of Tanzania, this year's World TB Day activities were performed in the district of Kyela,. The theme of the day was: "I AM FIGHTING TB, JOIN ME NOW! Tuberculosis Research REMoxTB!" The Mbeya Medical Research Program (MMRP), with support from the TB Alliance, was represented in Kyela by Community Advisory Board (CAB) members, REMoxTB research staff, and several MMRP TB study participants.
Festivities began with processions from the Kyela District Hospital to the community center, where speeches and other activities took place. The theme was proclaimed at the opening of celebrations and at the beginning of each speech. A representative from the District Commissioner's office, our guest of honor, spoke about the number of TB cases in the Mbeya (3,678) and the number of TB deaths (234, approx 6%) in the region. Health care providers were urged to work harder in the fight against TB because 234 deaths, is too many! The community was also urgd to seek treatment for TB as early as possible, when symptoms arise.
Educational materials were distributed, and group exercises were organized to raise knowledge and awareness about TB. Several drama and choir groups performed, spreading important messages about TB to the community; transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention, the importance of treatment compliance, and TB/HIV coinfection. The community was reminded that TB treatment is free in Tanzania, and cost should not keep them from seeking diagnosis and treatment!
World TB Day - Kibong'oto National TB Hospital
Dr. Francis Mhimbira
The Kibong'oto National TB Hospital in Moshi, Tanzania, organized World TB Day events with support from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme and Bonite Bottles Ltd, and the TB Alliance. Health care workers, community members, TB patients and REMoxTB research staff participated in activities designed to raise awareness around TB.
To mark this important day at our TB Hospital a full day of interactive workshops and activities were planned. A World TB Day presentation was given to the Kibong'oto Hospital health care workers stressing their responsibility along with the TB patients, families and communities on TB control. A demonstration of the services and tour of the hospital's laboratory facilities was given to teach community members how TB is diagnosed and treated. Community members met with clinical and nursing staff and were educated about TB and HIV. During a tour of the laboratory, they were given the opportunity examine TB bacilli through a microscope, and were shown indications of TB on a chest X-ray. They were also instructed on the course of TB treatment in the hospital pharmacy.
A question and answer session was participated in by patients and community member. Those who answered correctly were given prizes. All participants received a door prize. The session was interactive and motivated the patients and community members to learn more about TB. Traditional dance was performed for both entertainment and educational value, as the focus remained on the 2009 Theme of World TB Day; signs and symptoms of TB, TB/HIV, drug adherence, and TB prevention and control.
INK TB-CAB Commemoration of World TB Day
Paul Ngcobo
The INK TB-CAB commemorated World TB Day in three central venues that represent the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu areas of INK. The Inanda Amatikwe clinic, and the Ntuzuma Lindelani clinic were focal points for the events. A grand event was held at the KwaMashu Shopping Complex and public transport terminal. The Inanda and Ntuzuma clinics were chosen because both have a history of being "neglected" when past educational campaigns and health open days were held in the INK area, even though cases of TB and other health crises are very common within the communities neighboring these clinics. TheWorld TB Day events included door-to-door distribution of TB pamphlets and flyers, hailing of TB messages, on-site TB testing, and speeches, addresses and testimonies.
CAB members organized their "TB tracer teams," community health workers and volunteer home-based caregivers to walk around their respective areas handing out pamphlets and sharing positive messages about TB. The Amalgamated Beverage Industry, best known as the Coca-Cola Company, donated an entertainment truck for the day. Equipped with a public address system, the truck went around the Township with various speakers and CAB members inviting people to the main event at the KwaMashu Shopping Complex. The main TB clinic in the INK area, Rydalvale Chest Clinic, prepared a testing site during the event, where TB nurses and nursing assistants helped people who voluntarily got tested for TB.
At the main event at the KwaMashu Shopping Center key TB Role Players in and around the INK area delivered speeches and addresses on a variety of TB topics such as; management and control of TB; the importance of contact investigation in TB treatment and control, and the process of tracing those who defaulter from treatment; treatment compliance; TB research; statistics on the improvement of TB defaulters and increased cure rates in the INK area over the past year; government food assistance programs and grants for TB patients; and the challenges encountered by DOT supporters and home-based care givers. A motivational speech was given by a TB survivor who once defaulted treatment and developed resistance, endured an extensive MDR treatment period, and finally beat the disease . Final address was made by the INK TB-CAB Chairman, Mr. S Khulu.
World TB Day - Lusaka, Zambia
Deborah Mushamba
The Lusaka District Health Management Team, in collaboration with other health stakeholders, held a belated TB awareness day in Lusaka-Bauleni on April 17, 2009. The theme was "I am Stopping TB." The REMoxTB Community Advisory Board (CAB) and REMoxTB research staff participated along with treatment supporters, local community representatives and health workers.
The event began with a procession from the local government clinic to a local school playground. Dr. Guy Scot, an area member of Parliament, officiated the occasion, and underlined the high correlation between HIV and tuberculosis infection (TB). He urged all those with signs and symptoms of TB to seek medical care as soon as possible to prevent TB transmission in communities and reminded everyone that TB is treated free of charge in all government health centers in Lusaka.
Pamphlets outlining basic facts about TB were distributed to the participants as well as to community members who had lined the procession route and formed part of the audience. Drama performances from a number of treatment support groups further highlighted issues about TB disease. The audience participated in an interactive Q&A session aimed at sharing experience and knowledge, and tokens of appreciation were handed out to members of the audience that exhibited active interest and answered the questions correctly.
Finally, a resident gave a moving testimony about how she was cured of TB by completing treatment, and encouraged other patients not to cease taking their medication.
