Community Engagement in Tuberculosis

Community engagement is defined as the process of working collaboratively with and through communities to address issues affecting their well-being. Community-based TB activities are conducted outside the premises of formal health facilities (e.g. hospitals, health centres and clinics) in community-based structures (e.g. schools, places of worship, congregate settings) and homesteads.

Community health workers (CHWs) and community volunteers (CVs) carry out community-based TB activities. A CHW is a person with some formal education who is trained to contribute to community-based health services, including TB prevention and patient care and support. A CV is a community member who has been systematically sensitized about TB prevention and care, either through a short specific training scheme or through repeated contact with professional health workers. Both can be supported by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), other civil society organizations (CSOs) and/or the government.