Using peer support to find more tuberculosis cases in Zambia
Feasibility and acceptability of a peer-led strategy to improve community tuberculosis case finding among non-household contacts in Zambia
This study is looking at a friendly way to help find more people with tuberculosis (TB) by training those who have recently recovered from TB to talk to others who might be at risk, especially in Lusaka, Zambia, where TB is a big health issue, particularly for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10873301 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a community-based approach to improve tuberculosis (TB) case finding by training peers who have recently recovered from TB to screen non-household contacts of newly diagnosed patients. The study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this peer-led strategy in Lusaka, Zambia, where TB is a significant health concern, especially among people living with HIV. By employing mixed-methods research, the project will gather insights on how effective and sustainable this approach can be in identifying undiagnosed TB cases and linking individuals to necessary care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals in Zambia who have been in close contact with newly diagnosed TB patients and are at risk of undiagnosed TB.
Not a fit: Patients who are not in close contact with TB patients or those who have already been diagnosed and treated for TB may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier TB diagnosis and treatment for individuals in the community, ultimately reducing TB-related deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that community-based screening strategies can effectively identify undiagnosed TB cases, suggesting potential success for this peer-led approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kerkhoff, Andrew — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Kerkhoff, Andrew
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.