DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.26555.1 ISSN: 2398-502X

Strengthening TB Awareness Through Community Engagement: Insights from Five Years of Outreach Activities in Ghana

Prince Asare, Augustine Asare Boadu, Ivy Naa Koshie Lamptey, Nelly Arthur, Emelia Danso, Amy Dziedzorm Dzadey, Stephen Osei-Wusu, Isaac Darko Otchere, Stella Quarshie, Charlotte Alberta-Cato, Abraham Adjei, Jane Afriyie-Mensah, Adwoa Asante-Poku, Dorothy Yeboah-Manu,
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Setting Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health challenge, particularly in low-income countries, where delayed diagnosis undermines control efforts. Public engagement and community interventions are crucial to the End-TB Strategy; however, outreach experience documentation remains limited. Objective This study describes five years (2021–2025) of World TB Day outreach activities in Ghana. Design Activities included community education, stakeholder engagement, survivor advocacy, and health screening in schools, healthcare facilities and communities. Educational strategies were culturally tailored using interactive sessions, testimonials, and media. Integrated screening combined TB testing with HIV, malaria, diabetes, and hypertension. Results Over 5,000 individuals received education, with over 2,000 materials distributed yearly. Educational campaigns improved community knowledge of TB symptoms, transmission, prevention, and treatment, increasing voluntary screening. Screening enabled the early detection of TB and co-morbid conditions, reduced barriers, and strengthened referrals. The number of TB cases from outreach areas at a major tertiary hospital increased from 21/404(5%) in 2021 to 50/48(10%) in 2024. Community-centered TB education with integrated screening can improve awareness, reduce stigma, and enhance early case detection. Conclusion World TB Day provides advocacy, but its impact requires continuous engagement in community health programs. These findings offer lessons for strengthening TB awareness in high-burden countries.

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