A training module to empower marginalised Northern Borneo islanders for tuberculosis control

Empowering marginalised urban islanders with limited health accessibility through knowledge transfer program for controlling pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) requires a specific training module. The study was aimed to develop this training module by adapting and modifying the IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) framework. Structuring the content for the knowledge and skills for PTB control in the module was based on the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control 2016-2020. A total of five knowledge and skills were structured: i) PTB disease and diagnosis, ii) PTB treatment, iii) preventive PTB measures, iv) prevention of malnutrition, and v) psychosocial discrimination. The IMCI framework was modified through 3 ways: i) identifying signs and symptoms of PTB, ii) emphasising the IMCI’s 5 steps of integrated management: assess, diagnose, treat, counsel and detect, and iii) counseling on BCG immunisation, malnutrition, environmental modifications and stigma on PTB. Significance for public health Controlling tuberculosis in high pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) regions among marginalised islanders with limited health accessibility requires a concerted effort from the community and the healthcare system. An efficient implementation is through community empowerment by transferring adequate knowledge and skills on PTB detection and treatment within the community for reducing the spread of the disease. Developing a training module for the knowledge transfer purpose has to be contextually relevant and adapted to the lack of healthcare resources of the targeted region. Adapting Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) framework for developing such training module is feasible for PTB and should be extended to other diseases.