Abstract

Tuberculosis Control Center (TBCC) is responsible for prevention of the TB in France. The collaboration of this center with its partners has not yet been studied. All notified cases of TB and all of their contacts screened between 2007 and 2011 were retrospectively included. Communication between actors in tuberculosis control was analyzed. Of the 175 reported cases, the TBCC sent 85.1% of letters to the notifiers, their partners and the partners sent 74.9% of letters, p < 0.001 to the TBCC. A total of 4020 contacts of the 175 cases of TB have been identified by the TBCC. When the TBCC screened alone the contact, it sent 48.0% letters to its partners and when the partners did the screening alone, they sent 26.1% letters to the TBCC; p < 0.0001. When the TBCC and its partners had tested together the same contact, rates of mails exchange were high, the TBCC sent 53.3% letters to its partners and they did so in 48.9% (p > 0.5). Collaboration between the TBCC and its partners is not optimal. Strengthening communication between the TBCC and its partners in the Somme department is fundamental for an optimal collaboration in the fight against TB.

Key words: Tuberculosis/Prevention and control, partnership practice, France.