1st IGAD Scientific Virtual Conference on Cross Border Tuberculosis (TB)

TB Care in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges and opportunities

Conference Dates: October 25^th -28^th, 2021

Deadline for submissions: September 10^th, 2021, at 12.00am

Introduction

Cross-border population movement is a major social determinant of health and disease, including TB, multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) in the IGAD region. TB and TB/HIV co-infection are major public health problems in this region. Most of the TB/HIV infected are in sub-Saharan Africa with a coinfection rate of about 30% in 2016 . Two of the countries in the IGAD region (Ethiopia & Kenya) are among the WHO 30 high burden TB countries globally. Together with Somalia they are also in the WHO 30 high burden MDR-TB countries. Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia are also in the high burden countries for TB - HIV. IGAD region has porous borders with two other neighboring high burden TB countries, Tanzania to the south and Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.

The region is affected by mixed migration flows originating from or transiting through the three main routes which are; The Northern Africa route (from sub-Saharan Africa

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¹ WHO Global TB report 2017

to North Africa and Europe); the Gulf of Aden route (from the Horn of Africa to Yemen and beyond); and the Southern route (from the East and Horn of Africa to South Africa and beyond). The area also faces unique migration challenges due to the presence of nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists in all the IGAD countries. These regional dynamics are compounded by a general weakness of border and migration management which is characterized by porous borders, inadequately trained and poorly equipped staff, and insufficient regional technical cooperation.²

IGAD did an assessment in 2018 to gather information on the situation and services related to TB prevention and control at border health facilities in 24 border areas across the IGAD region. Among the findings are that the health facilities are far and wide apart, patients travel long distances, and diagnostic facilities for TB, are few, low proportion of staff positions filled, proportion of facilities providing TB services is low, most border health facilities do not receive regular TB trainings and supervision.

MDR-TB is a growing concern in the IGAD region and there have been efforts aimed at increased detection of MDR-TB cases but its treatment poses formidable challenges to national TB programs.

The global strategy to end TB aims to reach at least 90% of all people with TB, including key populations, and achieve at least 90% treatment success. The pillars include integrated patient centered care and prevention, Bold Policies and Supportive Systems, and the pillar of intensified research and innovation.

IGAD with support from USAID is holding a learning event and a scientific conference to bring together researchers and National Ministries of Health from the Member States to present their papers and experiences at the conference.

Guidelines for submission of Abstracts

This call invites scholars and practitioners especially those from the continent of Africa and IGAD region with expertise in the subject matter to submit abstracts. Submitted abstracts should relate to the conference themes and follow the guidelines below. Please ensure that you read and conform to the guidelines set out below before submitting an abstract.

Abstract Formatting Guidelines

• Abstracts should be written in English or French and be 250-300 words excluding the abstract title, authors and their designations and INCLUDES up to 3 references (Harvard style) where necessary and appropriate.
https://libguides.mq.edu.au/referencing/Harvard;

Abstracts must use the following outline (with the exception of case reports):

• Background
• Aims, objective or purpose
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusion

For case reports ONLY use the following section headings:

• Background
• Case Summary
• Conclusion

• Interested authors should send a one-page CV/ bio, with latest publications and contact details (email address and phone numbers);

• Submissions should indicate the theme that the abstract falls under. Please select the most appropriate topic category that fits into your submission from this list below and indicate the thematic number in your submission:

1. Theme 1: Tuberculosis care in the era of COVID-19 pandemic including new approaches and novel techniques
2. Theme 2: Pediatric Tuberculosis
3. Theme 3: Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
4. Theme 4: Policy in the area of Cross-Border TB
5. Theme 5: Tuberculosis surveillance in cross border areas

• Please send your abstracts and other documents to this e-mail address:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Important Dates

Deadline for submission of abstracts: September 10^th, 2021

Notification of acceptance of abstracts: September 20^th, 2021

Conference Dates: October 25^th-28^th, 2021

Information note

 The decision of the reviewers and IGAD Secretariat on the acceptability of a submission is final.

 The reviewers and IGAD Secretariat reserve the right to accept or refuse an abstract and to choose a suitable session for the abstract.

 Declaration of Consent to Publication and Assignation of Copyright:
By submitting an abstract the authors collectively accept that the submitted abstract constitutes your consent to publication (e.g. conference website, programs, other promotions, etc.). The Abstract Submitter also grants the IGAD Secretariat a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable nonexclusive license to use, reproduce, publish, translate, distribute, and display the Content. The IGAD Secretariat reserve the right to remove from any publication or abstract which does not comply with the above. The corresponding author is responsible for informing the other authors about the status of the abstract.

Partners

This Conference is organized by IGAD and United States Agency for International Development/Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA) in cooperation with member states.

Please contact the conference secretariat if you have any queries regarding abstract submission. For any enquiries contact:

Hafsa Bashir Yussuf
IGAD SECRETRIAT
IGAD HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
T: + 254 710 241 313 or +254 722 333 365
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.