Natural Sciences, Stomotology, 2026
ISSN: 1829-006X
DEVELOPMENT OF A HOME CONTACT TUBERCULOSIS CASE-FINDING MODEL BASED ON SCREENING WITH RAPID MOLECULAR TESTS (TCM) AT THE OESAPA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE IN KUPANG CITY
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Submitted: 2026-04-08
© 2026 by author(s) and The Gufo Inc.
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(CC BY-NC 4.0).
Abstract
Background:Data from the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Central Bureau of Statistics in 2023 recorded 9,535 confirmed
cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), showing a significant increase compared to 4,798 cases in the previous year.
Kupang City contributed the highest number of TB cases in NTT, with 1,253 cases.
Objectives:To develop a screening model based on Molecular Rapid Tests for early detection and treatment of TB and
to identify factors influencing its distribution in the working area of Puskesmas Oesapa in 2024.
Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 randomly selected samples, using inclusion
and exclusion criteria. Data analysis included the Spearman rank test for bivariate analysis and Logistic Regression for multivariate analysis.
Results:Bivariate analysis showed no significant association between TB and gender, age, education, occupation,
knowledge, residential density, information availability, pregnancy risk factors, treatment dropout, or elderly risk
factors. Significant associations were found with sputum disposal behaviour (p=0.026; r=0.182), smoking behaviour
(p=0.000; r=0.331), exercise habits (p=0.034; r=-0.173), cough (p=0.000; r=0.585), shortness of breath (p=0.000;
r=0.630), weight loss (p=0.000; r=0.655), appetite loss (p=0.000; r=0.674), fever (p=0.000; r=0.693), night sweats
without physical activity (p=0.000; r=0.624), and history of diabetes mellitus (p=0.007; r=0.219). Multivariate analysis indicated that smoking (p=0.017; Exp(B)=4.469; 95% CI=1.311–15.236) and fever (p=0.028; Exp(B)=8.259; 95% CI=1.263–54.033) were significant predictors of positive TCM TB results.
Conclusion:Smoking behaviour and fever were identified as significant predictors of positive TB cases. There is a
need for community socialisation programs to promote healthy lifestyles and preventive measures to reduce TB
transmission.