# Using a Knowledge and Awareness Survey to Engage and Inform a Community-Based Tuberculosis Intervention among Nomads in Adamawa State, Nigeria

## TL;DR

A survey on tuberculosis and HIV knowledge among nomadic communities in Nigeria led to targeted outreach efforts that successfully identified and treated many cases of TB and HIV.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates how community-based KAP surveys can guide effective TB and HIV interventions in hard-to-reach nomadic populations.

## Key findings

- Only 32.1% of respondents knew the cause of TB, highlighting low awareness.
- Community-driven outreach identified 306 TB cases and 69 HIV-positive individuals, all linked to treatment.

## Abstract

Background: Nomadic populations are frequently isolated and vulnerable to diseases including tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to limited access to health-related information and services, poverty, and social exclusion. We designed and implemented community-driven and -based outreach for TB and HIV based on the results of a TB knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) survey in Adamawa, Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on KAP among nomads using an adapted WHO survey. A TB and HIV community-level active case-finding intervention among nomadic populations was planned and delivered based on the KAP survey results. Results: Among 81 respondents, 26 (32.1%) knew what caused TB. More than 60% reported no health facilities in their community. Radio and healthcare workers were primary sources of information on health. Using community input, we developed and broadcasted radio jingles to sensitize people to TB services. Outreach initiatives led to the verbal screening of 61,891 individuals and 306 were diagnosed with TB. Additionally, 4489 people underwent HIV testing, and 69 were HIV-positive, all of whom were linked to treatment. Conclusions: The results of KAP surveys can inform the design of evidence-based TB and HIV community-driven and -based case-finding interventions in rural Nigeria among nomadic populations.