Topic outline
Topic 1
Introduction, Transmission and Tuberculosis Case Finding
What is TB?
Global and regional burden of TB disease
Global strategy for the prevention and control of TB
The Global STOP TB Strategy
How is TB transmitted?
Who is at risk from tuberculosis?
Natural history of tuberculosis
What is the difference between TB infection and TB disease?
Case finding
How to identify a person with suspected TB
Case finding through confirmation of a TB suspect by sputum examination
Topic 2
Diagnosis and Treatment of Tuberculosis
Diagnostic methods
Microscopic examination of sputum smears
Chest X-ray
TB culture from sputum
Biopsy
Treatment of tuberculosis
Classifications of TB and treatment categories
Definition of types of TB cases
Patient categories and treatment regimens
Treatment regimens for different TB categories
Phases of chemotherapy
Treatment regimens
Anti-TB drug treatment in special situations
Treatment of TB patients under Directly Observed Treatment (DOTS)
Types and severity of side-effect
Topic 3
Follow-up of Patients on Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment and Defaulter Tracing
Monitoring of TB patients during treatment
Refilling of medication and adherence to treatment
Monitoring of patients with sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB
Referral of people suspected of being infected with TB and TB cases
Coordinating transfers when a patient is moving
Arrangements for patients who travel
Tracing patients who missed doses and defaulters
Conducting home visits for patients who miss a dose
Home visits for patients who fail to collect drugs for self-administration
Tracing patients who interrupt treatment
Treatment outcomes
Topic 4
Tuberculosis Treatment in Special Conditions: TB in Children, HIV/TB and Drug Resistant TB
Diagnosis and management of TB in children
Symptoms of childhood TB
Signs of childhood TB
Diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV-positive children
Treatment of tuberculosis in children
Management of TB in HIV-infected children
Follow-up and referral of children with TB
TB/HIV co-infection
Effect of HIV on tuberculosis
Effect of tuberculosis on people living with HIV
TB classification in HIV-positive patients
Diagnosis of TB in HIV-positive patients
Prevention and management of TB among PLHIV
Drug-resistant TB and multi-drug resistant TB
Drug sensitivity testing (DST)
Topic 5
Tuberculosis Infection Control
Principles of TB infection control
What is infection control?
What are standard or universal precautions?
TB infection control measures at community health facility level
Managerial controls
Administrative controls
Environmental controls
Personal protective interventions
Infection control where people gather, at community and household level
Infection control for congregate settings
Infection control in households
Community-based TB control
Information, education and communication (IEC)
Topic 6
Leprosy Diagnosis
What is leprosy?
How can leprosy be controlled?
Burden of leprosy in the world
Transmission, identification and diagnosis
Case finding
Diagnosing leprosy
What to do if you suspect leprosy
Examining the person with suspected leprosy
Checklist for examination of the skin
Examination/palpation of the peripheral nerves
Examination of hands and feet for loss of sensation
Testing for corneal sensation
Eyelid closure to test facial nerve function
‘Little finger out’ test of ulnar nerve function
‘Thumb up’ test of median nerve function
‘Wrist back’ test of radial nerve function
‘Foot up’ test of peroneal nerve function
Topic 7
Leprosy Treatment
Classification of leprosy
MDT drug regimens
How to administer MDT for leprosy
Accompanied MDT
Side-effects of anti-leprosy drugs
Identifying and managing defaulters
Discharging patients after treatment
Leprosy complications and management
Signs and symptoms of leprosy reactions
Managing leprosy reactions
Disability
Measures to prevent and manage disabilities