WTBD Community Engagement 2011: Together we can cure TB

Madibeng Centre for Research, Brits, South Africa

March 31, 2011

The MCR Community Liaison Officer, together with Community Advisory Group Members from Damonsville, clinic committee members, NGOs HOSPICE and the Madibeng Municipality Community Development Workers, organized the World TB Day event at Damonsville for 24 March 2011.

From 22-23 March 2011 a door-to-door campaign was conducted within the community of Damonsville, giving information and education about TB, and encouraging those who wanted to test for TB to give sputum in the sputum specimen bottles that we carried. Sputum samples collected were sent to the clinic, and then the laboratory at Brits Hospital. During the door-to-door campaign we managed to visit about two hundred households, inviting each to attend the World TB Day event on 24 March. During the campaign we also collected sputum specimens.

On 24 March, the World TB Day event was held at the Damonsville Community Hall. The MCR Community Liaison Officer designed a special programme for the day and organized promotional material for the CAB members to hand out, as well as several special guests. Local Rev. E. Joghens opened the event with a short sermon and a prayer. Local school educator, Mr. Lekalakala, welcomed all people attending the event. Mr. S. Moerane, Community Development Worker from Madibeng Local Municipality, was the programme director for the day.

Dr. Cheryl Louw, our Principal Investigator, gave a brief talk about what research is, as well as about the REMox TB study that is currently taking place at MCR. Dr. Louw also answered questions from participants.

Sr. Bertha Makhafola, Research nurse at MCR, gave a presentation on TB disease; signs and symptoms, transmission, and prevention. Participants were also informed that TB is curable if treatment is taken according to doctors’ or nurses’ prescriptions. Sr. Makhafola informed the participants about the REMoxTB study that is currently running at MCR, explaining the purpose of the study (to reduce TB treatment from six months to four months). She encouraged participants to visit their local clinic in order to check their TB status if they suspect that they may have TB.

The event drew approximately 220 participants of different ages and genders, and all speakers emphasized the theme of the day: “Together we can cure TB”

Our aim was to make the community of Damonsville aware of the existence of MCR and its TB research activities. MCR posters were placed in the venue, TB Pamphlets, and flyers were given by CAB members for people to acquire more knowledge on TB. Condoms were also made available to participants. CAB members formed part of MCR team, and assisted by showing people where to sign the TB attendance register. They also assisted by giving out promotional water bottles. There was group of a local crèche’s children who performed a wonderful drama, based on TB messaging.

Various other items were presented by people attending, including the hospice and a group from a neighboring village. A retired nurse also contributed to the discussion around TB and TB treatment and diagnosis.

The working relationship between MCR, Damosville clinic staff, clinic committee members, home-based care organizations, and the Community of Damonsville has been strengthened through this event. The day was very successful with many participants expressing their appreciation for the information they were given as well as their interest in what was discussed.