NYMC Faculty Publications
Iterative Evaluation of Mobile Computer-Assisted Digital Chest X-Ray Screening for Tb Improves Efficiency, Yield, and Outcomes in Nigeria
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.1371/journal.pgph.0002018
Journal Title
PLoS Global Public Health
First Page
e0002018
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Department
Public Health
Abstract
Wellness on Wheels (WoW) is a model of mobile systematic tuberculosis (TB) screening of high-risk populations combining digital chest radiography with computer-aided automated detection (CAD) and chronic cough screening to identify presumptive TB clients in communities, health facilities, and prisons in Nigeria. The model evolves to address technical, political, and sustainability challenges. Screening methods were iteratively refined to balance TB yield and feasibility across heterogeneous populations. Performance metrics were compared over time. Screening volumes, risk mix, number needed to screen (NNS), number needed to test (NNT), sample loss, TB treatment initiation and outcomes. Efforts to mitigate losses along the diagnostic cascade were tracked. Persons with high CAD4TB score (≥80), who tested negative on a single spot GeneXpert were followed-up to assess TB status at six months. An experimental calibration method achieved a viable CAD threshold for testing. High risk groups and key stakeholders were engaged. Operations evolved in real time to fix problems. Incremental improvements in mean client volumes (128 to 140/day), target group inclusion (92% to 93%), on-site testing (84% to 86%), TB treatment initiation (87% to 91%), and TB treatment success (71% to 85%) were recorded. Attention to those as highest risk boosted efficiency (the NNT declined from 8.2 ± SD8.2 to 7.6 ± SD7.7). Clinical diagnosis was added after follow-up among those with ≥ 80 CAD scores and initially spot -sputum negative found 11 additional TB cases (6.3%) after 121 person-years of follow-up. Iterative adaptation in response to performance metrics foster feasible, acceptable, and efficient TB case-finding in Nigeria. High CAD scores can identify subclinical TB and those at risk of progression to bacteriologically-confirmed TB disease in the near term.
Recommended Citation
Eneogu, R. A., Mitchell, E. M., Ogbudebe, C., Aboki, D., Anyebe, V., Dimkpa, C. B., Egbule, D., Nsa, B., van der Grinten, E., Soyinka, F. O., Abdur-Razzaq, H., Useni, S., Lawanson, A., Onyemaechi, S., Ubochioma, E., Scholten, J., Verhoef, J., Nwadike, P., Chukwueme, N., Nongo, D., & Gidado, M. (2024). Iterative Evaluation of Mobile Computer-Assisted Digital Chest X-Ray Screening for Tb Improves Efficiency, Yield, and Outcomes in Nigeria. PLoS Global Public Health, 4 (1), e0002018. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002018
