The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, launched the National Interschools Tuberculosis (TB) Competitions in 2023, supported by the USAID Tuberculosis Local Organisations Network (TBLON).

The initiative, including debates, quizzes, and a music competition, aims to raise awareness of adolescent TB.

At the 16th Annual National HIV/TB/STI/Viral Hepatitis Conference, CIDRZ’s Makomo Hachintu presented the findings of this initiative, which saw 40 schools and 320 learners participate in 2023 and expanded to 115 schools and 1,035 learners in 2024. The competitions reached thousands of students and 5,935,549 million people.

Participants collaborated with TB experts and former patients to gather information, with some students even forming TB clubs in their schools to continue the awareness efforts. The initiative has proven effective in engaging adolescents and increasing interest in TB programmes, though further research is needed to assess its long-term impact.

The competition’s success highlights the value of creative, youth-driven public health initiatives in Zambia’s fight against TB.