A tuberculin skin test survey in a rural Ghanaian population. 1976

F K Wurapa, and D W Belcher

A study to determine the prevalence of positive tuberculin skin tests in a rural area of Ghana is described. Subjects over 14 exhibited the greatest percentage of positive reactions (40%), those under 15, less than 10 percent. Males had a higher percentage of positive reactions than females, which is consistent with the results of other tuberculin skin test studies. Prevalence of BCG scars was also studied as part of a village health survey medical examination. Overall BCG coverage was low (10%): the school age population, mose easily reached by mobile vaccination teams, had the highest rate of coverage (16%). There was a poor correlation between mothers' perception of children's BCG immunization status and the children's actual status determined during the medical examination, largely due to poor communication between immunization staff and the villagers. The authors conclude that BCG immunizations should be encouraged, particularly in children under 15, preferably via a mobile, mass campaign approach, with careful communication between medical staff and villagers.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005260 Female Females
D005869 Ghana A republic in western Africa, south of BURKINA FASO and west of TOGO. Its capital is Accra. Gold Coast,Republic of Ghana
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths

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