Challenges in the case detection of sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in Rwanda: A lowressource setting

摘要

Background: The use of smear microscopy in patients suspected of tuberculosis presenting to health services is of great value in case detection and in reducing the spread of the infection throughout the population by treatment of such cases. The TB diagnosis using Smear microscopy places a burden on the patient. A patient with suspected TB typically has to visit the clinic at least twice before a diagnosis can be made, and then has to return again for the results. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of the sputum smear microscopy and its public implication with reference to recommendations for the number of specimen that have to be collected from TB suspect.