Training course on Tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis, Management, and Control

Training Course on Tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis, Management, and Control

Training Course on Tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis, Management, and Control is designed for healthcare professionals, public health workers, and policymakers to enhance their understanding of tuberculosis and its effective management. Despite being a preventable and treatable disease, TB remains a major global health challenge, causing significant morbidity and mortality. This course provides participants with comprehensive knowledge about TB, including its transmission, clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and treatment protocols.

Participants will explore the epidemiology of TB, the role of healthcare systems in managing the disease, and strategies for controlling its spread. The course emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and effective treatment, including the use of directly observed therapy (DOT) and the management of drug-resistant TB cases. Additionally, it addresses the stigma associated with TB and highlights community engagement as a crucial component of control efforts. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and practical exercises, attendees will develop the skills necessary to implement TB management strategies effectively. By the end of the course, participants will be empowered to contribute to TB control initiatives, improve patient outcomes, and enhance public health responses to this enduring global health threat.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the epidemiology and transmission of tuberculosis (TB).
2. Identify clinical signs and symptoms of TB.
3. Develop skills in diagnostic techniques for TB.
4. Explore treatment regimens for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB.
5. Implement directly observed therapy (DOT) strategies.
6. Address the stigma associated with TB in healthcare settings.
7. Engage communities in TB prevention and control efforts.
8. Evaluate the impact of TB management programs on public health.
9. Understand the role of contact tracing in TB control.
10. Explore global TB prevention strategies and guidelines.
11. Foster collaboration among healthcare providers for effective TB management.
12. Monitor and assess health outcomes for TB patients.
13. Develop action plans for implementing TB control programs.

Target Audience

1. Healthcare professionals
2. Public health officials
3. TB program managers
4. Epidemiologists
5. Community health workers
6. Medical students
7. Social workers
8. Policy makers

Course Duration: 10 Days

Course Modules

Module 1. Fundamentals of Tuberculosis (TB)
· Aetiology and Pathogenesis: Understanding Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its characteristics (e.g., aerobic, slow-growing).
· Transmission Dynamics: Explaining airborne spread via droplet nuclei and factors influencing infectiousness.
·TB Infection vs. TB Disease: Differentiating between Latent TB Infection (LTBI) and active TB disease.
· Risk Factors: Identifying populations at high risk of progression (e.g., HIV, diabetes, crowded living).
· Case Study: Analyzing a familial cluster of TB cases to determine the index patient and exposure timing.
Module 2. Clinical Manifestations and Classification
· Pulmonary TB (PTB): Recognizing classic symptoms (e.g., persistent cough, night sweats, weight loss).
· Extra-Pulmonary TB (EPTB): Identifying common sites of infection (e.g., meningeal, lymphatic, skeletal TB).
· Pediatric TB: Special considerations for diagnosis and presentation in children.
· Case Definitions: Using standardized WHO/National Program definitions for accurate reporting and surveillance.
· Case Study: Reviewing the differential diagnosis for a patient presenting with fever of unknown origin and a localized joint swelling.
Module 3. Rapid Diagnostic Technologies
· Sputum Smear Microscopy: Principles of Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) staining and its limitations.
· Molecular Diagnostics (e.g., GeneXpert): Understanding rapid, automated testing for simultaneous detection of TB and Rifampicin Resistance (RR-TB).
· Culture Methods: The role of solid and liquid media cultures in definitive diagnosis and Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST).
· Immunological Tests: Utility and interpretation of Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) for LTBI.
· Case Study: Interpreting discordant results between a GeneXpert assay and a conventional AFB smear.
Module 4. Comprehensive TB Diagnosis and Workup
· Diagnostic Algorithm: Following the recommended stepwise approach for suspected PTB and EPTB.
· Radiographic Assessment: Interpreting Chest X-rays (CXR) for typical and atypical TB lesions.
· Specimen Collection: Standard operating procedures for collecting quality sputum, gastric aspirates, and tissue biopsies.
· Biomarkers: Exploring emerging diagnostic aids and host response signatures.
· Case Study: Diagnosing TB in an elderly patient with a confusing CXR, requiring advanced imaging and biopsy.
Module 5. Treatment Regimens for Drug-Susceptible TB (DS-TB)
· Standard First-Line Regimen: Components (HRZE) and the duration of the Intensive and Continuation Phases.
· Pharmacology: Mechanism of action and optimal dosing for Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol.
· Treatment Adherence: Implementing Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) strategy.
· Monitoring: Required clinical and laboratory monitoring during treatment.
· Case Study: Developing a personalized treatment plan for a newly diagnosed 25-year-old with smear-positive PTB.
Module 6. Management of Latent TB Infection (LTBI)
· Targeted Testing: Identifying high-risk individuals who benefit most from LTBI screening.
· Preventive Treatment Regimens: Reviewing short-course (e.g., 3HP, 4R) and standard options (e.g., 6H).
· Adherence Strategies: Counseling and patient support for completing preventive therapy.
· Special Populations: LTBI management in children, pregnant women, and people with HIV.
· Case Study: Counseling a patient newly starting immunosuppressive therapy on the necessity of LTBI treatment.
Module 7. Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB): Detection and Principles
· Definitions: Understanding MDR-TB (Multi-Drug Resistant) and XDR-TB (Extensively Drug-Resistant).
· Mechanisms of Resistance: Causes of drug resistance (e.g., non-adherence, improper regimen).
· Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST): Methods (phenotypic and genotypic) and importance for regimen design.
· Rapid RR-TB Screening: Using molecular tools to detect Rifampicin resistance quickly.
· Case Study: Investigating a patient who failed first-line treatment and confirming MDR-TB diagnosis via DST.
Module 8. Treatment of Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB)
· Newer Regimens: Focus on all-oral, shorter, and highly effective regimens (e.g., BPaL/M).
· Core Principles: Categorizing drugs (A, B, C) and constructing individualized treatment plans.
· Management of Side Effects: Anticipating and managing adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
· Treatment Duration: Protocols for shorter (6-9 months) and longer (18-24 months) regimens.
· Case Study: Creating a monitoring schedule for a patient on an all-oral DR-TB regimen, including vital sign checks and audiology.
Module 9. TB/HIV Co-Infection Management
· Clinical Interplay: Understanding the bidirectional relationship between TB and HIV.
· Integrated Treatment: Co-administering TB drugs and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), focusing on drug-drug interactions (especially Rifampicin).
· Paradoxical TB-IRIS: Recognizing and managing Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS).
· Preventive Co-Management: TB-Preventive Therapy (TPT) for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
· Case Study: Managing a patient who develops TB-IRIS shortly after initiating ART.
Module 10. TB Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
· Three Levels of Control: Managerial, Administrative, and Environmental controls in healthcare settings.
· Triage and Isolation: Rapid identification and separation of suspected TB patients.
· Airborne Precautions: Principles of Negative Pressure Rooms and effective ventilation.
· Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Correct use of N95/FFP2 respirators in high-risk procedures.
· Case Study: Conducting a TB risk assessment audit in a primary healthcare clinic and recommending IPC improvements.
Module 11. Public Health Surveillance and Case Reporting
· National TB Program (NTP): Understanding the structure and role of national control programs.
· Standardized Reporting: Mandatory and timely notification of TB cases to surveillance systems.
· TB Register/E-Register: Maintaining accurate and complete patient records for monitoring.
· Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Monitoring detection rates, treatment success rates, and loss to follow-up (LTFU).
· Case Study: Calculating the TB treatment success rate for a district based on aggregated surveillance data.
Module 12. Contact Investigation and Screening
· Prioritization: Identifying high-priority contacts (e.g., household members, close co-workers).
· The Contact Tracing Process: Steps from initial case interview to final disposition of contacts.
· Screening and Evaluation: Protocols for testing contacts for both LTBI and active TB disease.
· Preventive Therapy for Contacts: Initiating treatment for eligible individuals to prevent progression.
· Case Study: Designing a contact investigation strategy for a highly infectious school employee.
Module 13. Social Support and Patient-Centred Care
· Socio-Economic Barriers: Identifying factors like poverty, transport, and stigma that hinder care.
· Psychosocial Support: The role of counselors and community health workers in treatment adherence.
· Financial and Nutritional Support: Understanding the importance of addressing social determinants of health.
· Stigma Reduction: Strategies for community education and patient empowerment.
·Case Study: Developing a package of care for a patient with TB who is experiencing homelessness and malnutrition.
Module 14. Programmatic Management of TB (PMDT)
· M&E Frameworks: Applying Monitoring and Evaluation principles to TB control programs.
·Quality Assurance: Ensuring accuracy of diagnostics and quality of clinical care.
· Budgeting and Resource Mobilization: Planning for sustained financing of TB services.
· Public-Private Mix (PPM) Strategies: Engaging private practitioners and non-governmental organizations in TB control.
· Case Study: Evaluating the impact of a new patient tracing system on the Loss to Follow-Up rate in a district program.
Module 15. The End TB Strategy and Global Health
· Pillars and Targets: Understanding the global strategy to virtually eliminate TB by 2035.
· TB Research Landscape: Overview of pipeline diagnostics, vaccines, and drugs.
· Intersectoral Collaboration: Engaging non-health sectors (e.g., housing, social welfare) in TB elimination.
· Global Funding: Role of partners like WHO, Global Fund, and STOP TB Partnership.

· Case Study: Comparing a national TB program's performance against the End TB Strategy milestones and proposing actionable items.

Training Methodology

• Interactive instructor-led sessions
• Hands-on AI tool demonstrations
• Group-based leadership simulations
• Real-life case study discussions
• Personalized leadership development plans
• Post-training mentoring and AI coaching sessions

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.