Operational challenges in managing Isoniazid Preventive Therapy in child contacts : a high-burden setting perspective

Date
2011-07-08
Authors
Van Wyk, Susan S.
Reid, Anthony J.
Mandalakas, Anna M.
Enarson, Donald A.
Beyers, Nulda
Morrison, Julie
Hesseling, Anneke C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Abstract Background The study was conducted at a high TB-HIV burden primary health community clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. We describe the management of children under five years of age in household contact with a smear and/or culture-positive adult TB case. Methods This study was a record review of routinely-collected programme data. Results A total of 1094 adult TB case folders were reviewed. From all identified contacts, 149 children should have received IPT based on local guidelines; in only 2/149 IPT was initiated. Management of child contacts of sputum smear and/or culture-positive compared to sputum-negative TB patients were similar. Conclusions IPT delivery to children remains an operational challenge, especially in high TB-HIV burden communities. A tool to improve IPT management and targeting sputum smear and/or culture-positive TB child contacts may overcome some of these challenges and should be developed and piloted in such settings.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/544
Keywords
Isoniazid preventive therapy, Children -- Testing for tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Western Cape
Citation
Van Wyk, S. et al, 2011, Operational challenges in managing Isoniazid Preventive Therapy in child contacts: a highburden setting perspective, BMC Public Health, 11(1):544, 1-6, http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/544