Pulmonary Tuberculosis Incidence Rate with Genexpert Examination Method

Tuberculosis remains a significant public health problem in many regions, necessitating rapid and accurate diagnostic methods. GeneXpert is a molecular diagnostic tool capable of simultaneously detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance within two hours. This study applied GeneXpert to screen suspected TB patients at Mlati II Sleman Health Center from 2020 to 2023. The analysis relied on a descriptive cross-sectional approach using secondary medical record data.

Over four years, 587 patients suspected of pulmonary tuberculosis were examined. Of these, 15% tested positive for TB. A noteworthy finding is that while the proportion of positive cases decreased across the years, the absolute number of TB diagnoses increased, correlating with a rise in the number of patients screened, particularly in 2022 and 2023. This may reflect improved case-finding efforts or heightened awareness and reporting during this period.

Demographic analysis showed that TB was more common among males (58%) and that adults aged 26 to 65 accounted for most positive cases. Younger children (1–11 years) represented only 8% of TB cases, which may suggest differences in exposure risk or diagnostic practices across age groups.

The methodology was appropriate for providing descriptive epidemiological data. However, since no inferential statistics or comparative analysis were performed, caution should be exercised when interpreting these trends as indicative of underlying causes. Factors such as HIV co-infection, socio-economic status, and prior TB treatment were not analyzed, though they can significantly influence TB incidence.

Overall, GeneXpert proved to be a feasible diagnostic option in this health center, supporting early diagnosis and treatment initiation. The study underlines the importance of consistent TB screening, especially in endemic areas, and demonstrates how scaling up molecular testing can improve TB detection rates.

References:

1. Wati, N., Mu’awanah, I.A.U. and Amalia, A.A., 2024. Pulmonary Tuberculosis Incidence Rate with Genexpert Examination Method at Mlati II Public Health Center, Sleman In 2020-2023. International Journal of Health, Economics, and Social Sciences, 6(4), pp.1124-1129.