Childhood tuberculosis: management and treatment outcomes among children in Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal Vol. 27; no. 25; p. 25
• Main Authors: Kebede, Zemene Tigabu, Taye, Belaynew Wasie, Matebe, Yohannes Hailu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uganda African Field Epidemiology Network 2017; The African Field Epidemiology Network; The Pan African Medical Journal
• Subjects: Adolescent; Antiretroviral drugs; Antitubercular Agents - administration & dosage; Child; Child, Preschool; children; Cross-Sectional Studies; determinants; developing country; Ethiopia; Female; Guideline Adherence; Humans; Infant; Male; Medication Adherence; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Rural Population; Treatment Outcome; treatment outcomes; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis - diagnosis; Tuberculosis - drug therapy; Treatment outcomes; determinants; developing country; children
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.27.25.10120

Childhood tuberculosis (TB) treatment is becoming a major challenge in the TB control efforts of the Ethiopian health system. This study assessed childhood tuberculosis management, and treatment outcomes among children who completed anti-TB treatment in Northwest Ethiopia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among children who completed their anti-TB treatment in Gondar University Referral Hospital and 6 satellite health centers. Data from each child with tuberculosis were obtained from review of medical records. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
The commonest method of childhood TB diagnosis was clinical assessment combined with chest x-ray (48.5%). Absence of compliance with TB treatment guideline (98.7%), providing inadequate anti-TB regimen (1.8%), and poor adherence to treatment (22.5%) were challenges in management of childhood tuberculosis. Treatment success rate was 78.9%. In the bivariate regression, factors associated with TB treatment outcomes were permanent residence (OR=8.3, 95%CI: 4.1, 16.7), antiretroviral therapy (OR=4.5, 95%CI: 1.2, 16), and adherence to treatment (p < 0.001). After controlling for confounders, adherence to anti-TB treatment (OR=0.003, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.02) was independent predictor of treatment success.
Anti-tuberculosis treatment success rate was still low among children in Northwest Ethiopia. The health centers and hospital shall enhance strong follow-up of children on anti-tuberculosis treatment to improve treatment success with focus on rural children.