Finding TB in Uganda: outreach in hotspots versus clinic screening
Hotspot versus clinic-based active case finding for TB in Uganda: A pragmatic randomized trial
['FUNDING_R01'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11494708
This project compares two ways to find people with active tuberculosis in Ugandan communities—going into high-risk hotspot areas and offering extra screening at clinics—so more people can get diagnosed and treated.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11494708 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you live in a Ugandan community where TB is common, teams will either bring screening into hotspot areas or offer extra screening at local clinics. They will use mobile chest X-rays with AI-based reading and simple confirmatory tests to identify people who may have active TB. People found to have TB will be linked to treatment, and those without active disease but at risk may be offered short-course preventive therapy. The locations are randomly assigned so researchers can compare which approach finds more cases and connects more people to prevention and care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are residents of the selected urban or hotspot communities in Uganda or patients attending participating clinics who are willing to undergo chest X-ray and TB testing.
Not a fit: People who live outside the study areas, are already on TB treatment, or cannot attend the screening locations are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help catch more TB cases earlier and expand preventive therapy to reduce transmission and illness.
How similar studies have performed: Previous active case-finding campaigns in Vietnam and Zimbabwe have reduced TB burden, but combining hotspot outreach with mobile X-rays, AI reading, and direct linkage to preventive therapy is a newer strategy.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KENDALL, EMILY A — JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: KENDALL, EMILY A
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Communicable Diseases, Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019