AHRI organized a national project meeting at the Haile Resort Hotel on Lake Hawassa in Ethiopia. All participants were welcomed to the meeting by a group of local traditional dancers and enjoyed an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Sixty-six participants attended including the SeroSelectTB team members from AHRI, health extension and healthcare workers from health posts and centers involved in the field research in the Sidama region, TB focals and researchers from the region, and SeroSelectTB project partners from other countries. We were pleased to have Dr Adane Mihet, Lead Researcher and Director of the Bacterial and Viral Diseases Research Directorate, attending on behalf of the Deputy Director General at AHRI.
Presentations addressed a review of the SeroSelectTB project background, aims and challenges, updates from partners in Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa, the project’s data management program, SeroSelectTB test kit production, ongoing TB research in Sidama region, and TB management activities conducted by the Sidama region Health Bureau. Importantly, reflections from key players were presented by district TB focals, healthcare workers, and health extension workers. Comments and suggestions included the need to implement the SeroSelectTB test because of the increase in TB case detection already observed as a result of the project, the importance of SeroSelectTB testing for expediting referral from the health post to the health center, the desire to expand the project to other areas, and the suitability of using the SeroSelectTB rapid test in active case finding activities. The TB REACH regional representative said that SeroSelectTB should be recommended and used as the standard first line test at the health post level in the future. A laboratory technician from a health center reminded the attendees that the distance between health posts and health centers is considerable and therefore it is necessary to have rapid testing available at the heath post level where the patients first report.
Following the meeting, project team members from AHRI, and international partners visited selected project field sites including two health posts and two health centers in Dale woreda, Sidama region.
“A patient’s journey”, documenting participant enrollment, completing the questionnaire, sample collection, and follow-up during treatment, was organized by Mekdelawit Wondiyfraw from AHRI. A participant from the intervention arm, a young woman named Haimanot, was willing to repeat the entire procedure for project documentation purposes.
In late 2023, Haimanot reported to a health post in Dale wordea, Sidama region, after having been sick for 2 months. She was pregnant at the time of her diagnosis, received and completed her treatment, and reported for all check-ups and 6-month follow-up. Two months later she gave birth to a healthy little baby girl.
Her two young boys also received the standard prophylactic treatment for 3 months. The visit started at Haimanot’s home, where an interview was conducted. Within a few minutes the entire village had gathered outside the house! At the conclusion of the interview, Haimanot was asked if she had any advice for others in her village. Haimanot replied that she would advise anyone who was not feeling well to report to the health post at once because, “there they would receive medical attention from the health extension workers at once”.
After the home visit we went to the health post where the enrollment procedure, first part of the questionnaire, and SeroSelectTB test procedures were repeated. Thereafter, we accompanied Haimanot to the health center where the questionnaire was completed and all data entered in REDCap, and venous blood and sputum samples were collected. She also “returned” to the health center to receive her TB drugs according to the scheduled regimen and the “mock” 6-month follow-up. The team drove Haimanot back to her home after the documentation was completed.
Haimanot, villagers gathering at her home, Haimanot with her family
The project is very grateful for Haimanot’s willingness to participate and share her experiences. Ameseginalehu, Haimanot!
The project team members in Ethiopia will continue participant enrollment through June 2025. Activities in 2025 will otherwise focus on data analysis and publications.
The meeting organized by the SeroSelectTB team at AHRI was scientifically and socially excellent! Ameseginalehu!
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