Biography
Emily Briskin is an Epidemiologist
holding an MPH from Yale University, United States. Emily has worked as a field
epidemiologist and operational research advisor for Médecins sans Frontières
and other organizations, mainly focused on infectious diseases. She is
currently a Multi-Country Study Coordinator with Epicentre/MSF supporting a
study of the accuracy, feasibility, and acceptability of 2022 WHO TB treatment decision
algorithms for children in five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Key Impacts
Increase in TB diagnosis among children after implementing new WHO treatment decision algorithms in 5 sub-Saharan African countries
These results suggest that the WHO-recommended algorithms helped increase presumptive TB detection and TB diagnosis. The TDAs can be an important tool to close the gap of TB under-diagnosis in children. When TDAs are implemented, increased TB medication supply should be planned for.
Source: Conference 2024
Finding TB in children living with HIV: Results using the WHO-recommended algorithms in Conakry, Guinea
The systematic use of TDAs led to a high proportion of CLWHIV receiving TB treatment, despite challenges with test availability and low follow-up return at 7-14 days in this ambulatory cohort. The clinical and radiological scores, history of TB contact and TB-LAM were the main algorithm elements leading to initiation of anti-tuberculosis treatment.
Source: Conference 2024