Active Case Finding (ACF) of Tuberculosis Among School Students: Insights From a Tribal District in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, India

Background Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern in India, particularly among tribal populations who face structural and socioeconomic barriers to healthcare access. Despite ongoing efforts by the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), many tribal districts report persistently high TB burdens. Active case finding (ACF) has demonstrated effectiveness in improving early TB detection and reducing transmission. Objective This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a school-based ACF initiative in identifying symptomatic individuals and potential TB cases within the tribal communities of Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh. Materials and methods A cross-sectional record review was conducted from March to April 2024 across nine educational institutions in Seoni district. School students, oriented by NTEP staff, screened their family members using a 12-question format that addresses TB symptoms and risk factors. Data from 2,210 individuals were compiled and analyzed using Jamovi version 2.3.28 (Computer Software; retrieved from https://www.jamovi.org). Results Thirty percent with appetite loss and 26% with >5 kg weight loss underwent TB testing, with these symptoms showing strong associations with testing (p Conclusion School-based ACF is a feasible and promising strategy for TB detection in tribal areas. While the diagnostic yield was low, the model showed potential for broader implementation and community mobilization. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term impact and optimize the implementation.