The Clinical Research group of IPC (Institut Pasteur du Cambodge) participated in an international study with our partners (National Center for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control (CENAT), Angrokar and Batheay Operational District) to evaluate a training course of chest X-ray interpretation for the diagnosis of paediatric TB through the TB Speed decentralized study. The results of this study were recently published in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD).

https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/iuatld/ijtldo/2024/00000001/00000002/art00004

Chest X-ray (CXR) interpretation for the diagnosis of paediatric TB is challenging. Through the TB speed study, we assessed the performance of a three half-day CXR training module for healthcare workers (HCWs) including physicians, nurses, radiology technicians and other professionals at low healthcare levels in six high TB incidence countries including Cambodia.

The study developed a three half-day training course to identify normal CXR, CXR of good quality and  six TB suggestive features to training the health care workers at the district and primary health care level with a pre–post training assessment.

The results of this study showed correct interpretation of the CXRs during pre-training (64.9%) and post-training (80.2%) with a median score significantly improved from 13/20 to 16/20 after the training.

This short CXR training course (three half-day) could improve HCWs’ interpretation skills at the district and primary health care level to improve the diagnosis and management of childhood TB.