{"id":20208,"date":"2026-07-31T10:32:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T10:32:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woncaeurope2026.org\/sessions\/its-time-to-be-tested-strengthening-local-tuberculosis-detection-through-community-oriented-primary-care\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T10:32:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T10:32:34","slug":"its-time-to-be-tested-strengthening-local-tuberculosis-detection-through-community-oriented-primary-care","status":"publish","type":"wsa_session","link":"https:\/\/woncaeurope2026.org\/fr\/sessions\/its-time-to-be-tested-strengthening-local-tuberculosis-detection-through-community-oriented-primary-care\/","title":{"rendered":"It&#8217;s Time! To Be Tested: Strengthening Local Tuberculosis Detection Through Community-Oriented Primary Care"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge in the Philippines, which ranks among the highest TB-burden countries globally. Despite effective treatment, substantial gaps in case detection persist, particularly in rural and underserved communities. In San Manuel, Isabela, TB case detection rates consistently fell below provincial targets, contributing to delayed diagnosis, continued transmission, and preventable morbidity. Structural barriers such as stigma, transportation costs, limited diagnostic access, and low health literacy hinder timely care. This Community Oriented Primary Care project, \u201cIt\u2019s Time! To Be Tested,\u201d was developed to strengthen TB case detection through community engagement and primary care integration.A COPC framework guided the project, beginning with community characterization and problem prioritization using local health data, program reports, and stakeholder consultations. Key barriers to TB detection were addressed through multicomponent interventions, including community education campaigns, active case finding, mobile TB caravans with chest X-ray and sputum collection, and capacity building for barangay health workers. Public\u2013private partnerships and intersectoral collaboration with the local government unit, Department of Health, and community organizations supported implementation. Monitoring focused on screening coverage, diagnostic yield, and TB case detection trends.This project demonstrates how a rural primary care unit operationalized COPC principles to improve TB case detection by integrating health education, active case finding, and system-level strengthening. It highlights the central role of family physicians in translating national TB strategies into community-responsive actions.Improved TB detection was facilitated by reducing access barriers through mobile diagnostics, engaging trusted community actors, and embedding TB screening into routine and regulatory health processes. Persistent challenges included stigma, funding limitations, and workforce constraints. Institutionalizing TB initiatives through local ordinances, sustained financing, continuous training, and strengthened referral systems is essential for long-term impact.Active case finding and community-based screening proved more effective than passive approaches in identifying undiagnosed TB cases. Strengthened public\u2013private linkages and routine monitoring enhanced notification, follow-up, and treatment initiation, contributing to improved program performance.\u201cIt\u2019s Time! To Be Tested\u201d shows that COPC-driven, community-engaged strategies can strengthen TB case detection in resource-limited settings. Empowering communities and reinforcing primary care systems are critical to sustaining gains and advancing toward a TB-free San Manuel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-20208","wsa_session","type-wsa_session","status-publish","hentry","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/woncaeurope2026.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsa_session\/20208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/woncaeurope2026.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsa_session"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/woncaeurope2026.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wsa_session"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/woncaeurope2026.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}