Establishment of a Community Advisory Board (CAB) for tuberculosis control and research in the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Objectives: To strengthen community mobilization, education, awareness and involvement in research to improve Tuberculosis (TB) control, by building partnership between communities and the health sector through the establishment of a Community Advisory Board (CAB) in the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) area.

Methods: Key stakeholders from multiple sectors of the target community were identified. Two workshops were held with the aim of communicating the need for CAB and selecting its members. A 22 member INK CAB with representatives from different sectors in the community was selected. CAB members were trained through a 2-day workshop on TB and research.

Results: Various activities were successfully initiated and spearheaded by the INK CAB, and these involved training of Traditional Healers, recruiting of more TB tracer teams, organizing awareness campaigns during TB World Day, establishing TB school peer educators and links with NGOs to support impoverished TB patients all with positive outcomes.

Conclusions: The INK CAB is a successful example of providing a mechanism for community consultation and participation that contributes to promoting and facilitating relevant research and TB control activities.