Integrating BCC with existing ICT System for TB: Nudge Early Detection and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis in India- A Short Communication

To eliminate tuberculosis, One of the main subjects to be focused at present is Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) because it causes persistence of immunological response in humans to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen without manifesting any clinical sign and symptoms of active tuberculosis. If LTBI is not diagnosed and treated, it has been estimated that one in ten people with LTBI will get sick with tuberculosis infection. It has been a challenge to convince the contact and the target group to undergo screening as both TST and IGRA are an invasive procedure and to convince in apparently healthy (without any symptoms) individual to undergo screening is a foremost Potential barrier in the diagnosis of LTBI and initiating preventive treatment. The screening strategies must be coincide with appropriate individual (who are eligible candidate) and community level education to avoid any undesired harm for tested individuals, this can be achieved by Behavioral Change Communication (BCC). For more effective medium or channels to improve rate by utilizing and Nikshay portal may serve as an effective channel for BCC for early detection of latent tuberculosis and preventive treatment as it has suitable environment and support system to improve the success rate and to eliminate tuberculosis.