AI chest x-ray screening in rural Nigeria finds TB and cardiopulmonary disease but non-TB referrals rarely complete

In rural Nigeria, 33% of 9,585 AI-screened chest X-rays were abnormal. TB was confirmed in 204 people (95% started treatment), but among the 2,367 with suspected chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease, only 12% completed the referral.

• Integrated community screening using portable digital X-ray and AI software flagged abnormalities in 3,166 of 9,585 individuals.
• Among those with presumptive TB, 84% provided sputum; Xpert testing confirmed TB in 204, and 194 (95%) began treatment, with another 199 clinically diagnosed.
• Although 2,367 non-TB abnormal radiographs suggesting chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease were referred, the completion rate was only 12%, highlighting a critical gap in care linkage.

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