An anonymised dataset of 57,267 study participants who took part in district-wide surveys between 1980-84 and 1985-1989 as part of long-term studies of leprosy in Karonga, Malawi. The second survey was the recruitment phase of a trial of repeat BCG and killed M leprae. In each survey a subset of the population selected by area of residence received a tuberculin skin test. These were done before the trial vaccines were given. Since the early 1980s, all individuals diagnosed with TB in the district have been recorded as part of epidemiological studies of TB and the vaccine trial follow-up. Case ascertainment relied largely on enhanced passive ascertainment, with field staff based at the hospital and peripheral health centres to screen individuals with chronic cough or otherwise suspected to have TB. After the second survey in the 1980s there have been no further total population surveys, but follow-up information is available from other studies conducted in the district, including small population-based surveys and demographic surveillance in different areas of the district. All studies use common identifiers for individuals, so the date individuals were seen, or the date they were reported to have left the district or died, as recorded in other studies, can be used to estimate the date individuals were last known to be alive and in the district. In 2009-2013, individuals recorded as having TST induration sizes of greater than 20mm in the 1980’s surveys were identified. Those who were not already known from continuing studies in the area to have developed TB or to have died or left the district were sought. Interviewers asked those found living in Karonga district about prior treatment for TB and current cough. For those who had left the district or died, a suitable informant was asked about prior treatment for TB as well as dates of departure or death.

The dataset was collected prior to data sharing expectations being introduced (pre-2000. As a result, additional ethical clearance must be obtained prior to sharing. Please contact MEIRU directly (info@meiru.mw) for correspondence related to the data. A list of dataset variables can be found in the codebook, located at DOI: 10.17037/DATA.00002829.

Remote infection, Tuberculosis, Karonga