%0 Journal Article %A Alexandra Solovyova %A Alexander Golubkov %A Elena Borzunova %A Alexander Chernov %T Detection of active TB among people living with HIV/AIDS and vulnerable population groups (commercial sex workers and injecting drug users) %D 2011 %J European Respiratory Journal %P 4897 %V 38 %N Suppl 55 %X Background: Vulnerable groups (persons living with HIV/AIDS, migrants, homeless, commercial sex workers, and substance users) are at greater risk of developing TB, including MDR-TB, and are likely to have worse treatment outcomes. They experience longer delays in seeking care, increased suffering from disease and higher risk of community transmission.Objectives: To increase coverage of preventive TB screening and assess prevalence of TB among vulnerable groups in Tomsk, Russia.Methods: During 2010, a cohort of 703 persons was identified as a risk group for TB. Screening was conducted twice a year and included basic evaluation of symptoms, PPD (DIASKIN-TEST) and chest fluorography. Evaluation involved qualitative interviews with suspects to detect chronic cough, weight loss, night sweats and hemoptysis and other symptoms of TB. Outreach workers of Tomsk-AntiAIDS Foundation provided field counseling, TB and HIV education, phlebotomy, PPD with further referral to TB Services for medical evaluation. Nutritional support, hygiene packages and accompaniment used as incentives to complete screening.Results: Out of 703 people at risk screened for TB, 30 suspects were sent for medical examination to TB Services (4.3%). Out of them, 6 were diagnosed with active TB (20.0%), including 2 MDR–TB cases.Conclusion: Enhanced preventive screening and further medical assessment of TB suspects from vulnerable population resulted in high prevalence of active disease (850/100,000). There is a need to continue and expand coverage of preventive screening for the rest of risk group in Tomsk Oblast. %U