Abstract
Setting: Mahavir DOT Center, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Introduction: locating TB HOT spot in urban slums is difficult for health workers unless accompanied by the STLS, as distribution of the houses do not necessarily follow postal codes.
Objective: To investigate the utility of integrating the help of local postman and geographic positioning system(GPS) to identify and create map of hot spots in an area under a regional DOT centre.
Materials and Methods: Data of TB patients enrolled during 12 years (1999-2011) was analysed from the TB register at a ward where number of cases increased despite active implementation of DOTS. Non-Spatial data generated with the local postman identifying individual houses,co-ordinates recorded with GPS and uploaded in Google Earth. Area map was created by softwares (AutoCAD, Map R3, MapInfo Pro 7.5 Trial Version and MS officeTools)Houses of Index patients were marked in different colors year wise on the map.
Results: A 3D visualization of HOT SPOT in the area maps helped to identify clustering of TB cases, calculate time interval for subsequent infection (3months-5years)within household, neighbourhood and random contacts. Major risk factor crowding, poor ventilation.
Conclusion: Integrating local postman and information technology to identify HOTSPOT in RNTCP, will help in early intervention by health personnel to arrest TB transmission.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA2789.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019