Extraordinary examinations in tuberculous prevalence areas and family contact examinations

Abstract

A survey was made on the actual state of performance of extraordinary examinations done in high tuberculosis prevalence areas and those of family contact examinations of the index cases of tuberculosis during the period between April 1986 and November 1987 in Chiba Prefecture. The results are as follows: (1) Forty-eight extraordinary examinations were performed by 19 public health centers. (2) By these extraordinary examinations, 22 additional tuberculous patients were detected and 143 persons were indicated INH prophylaxis. There were 2 cases of mass tuberculosis infection: from which 19 patients and 140 persons for chemoprophylaxis were detected. (3) Out of 18 extraordinary examinations done for contacts of cases from danger groups, one was done actually for unnecessary case. As to tuberculin tests, they were not performed in 2 groups, and in another case, the test subjects were inappropriate. (4) The examination rate of family members of index cases was as high as 95.4%, whereas the performance of tuberculin tests was not satisfactory, especially as regards to the younger populations. The total performance rate of the tests was 29.0%, and the rate in those below 19 years of age was 56.5%, and the rate in those below 29 was 42.9%. (5) There were 6 families with tuberculosis, which included 14 patients. It is considered that in extraordinary examinations, appropriate setting of subjects and tuberculin tests for younger persons are important; in family contacts examination, tuberculin tests for younger persons are indispensable.