Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Mesay Hailu Dangisso
University of Bergen, Norway
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Pediat Therapeut
Background: Childhood Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health concern causing considerable morbidity and mortality. However, the focus on childhood TB is compromised due to challenges associated with the diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the burden of the disease among children is important to assess the ongoing transmission of the disease in a community and improving TB control efforts. This study was carried out to assess TB Case Notification Rates (CNRs) and treatment outcomes in children aged less than 15 years over a ten-year period. Methods: Data were collected from unit TB registers from all health facilities providing TB treatment in the Sidama Zone in Ethiopia. We analysed the CNRs and treatment outcomes by age category, gender, and place of residence. We used logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with treatment outcomes and control for confounding. Results: A total of 4,656 children less than 15 years of age were notified as diagnosed and treated for TB, constituting 13% of all notified TB cases in the study area. The mean CNRs per 100,000 children <15 years for all new cases of TB, rural cases, urban cases, in boys, and in girls were 30, 28, 67, 28, and 32, respectively. The proportions of treatment success were 82% for new and 77% for retreatment cases for the entire study period and increased to 93% for new cases in 2012 (X2trend, P<0.001). Age groups less than five years had less treatment success [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.64 (95% CI, 0.52-0.80)] and higher deaths [AOR 2 (95%CI, 1.27-3.12)]. The proportion of children who died in the <2 age group was three times higher than in the â�?¥2 year group. [AOR 3.34 (95%CI, 1.92-5.82)]. The proportion of girls was higher than boys in 10-14 year age group. Conclusion: Compared with other studies from Africa the CNR in younger children was low in the Sidama Zone and TB among young children may be underdiagnosed. We also found a higher mortality during treatment among younger children. Concerted effort therefore should be made to improve diagnostic facilities for childhood TB and targeting intervention for high risk groups for poor treatment outcomes.
Email: mesayhailudangiso@yahoo.com