Recording isoniazid preventive therapy delivery to children: operational challenges [Short communication]

• Published in: The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease Vol. 14; no. 5; pp. 650 - 653
• Main Authors: Van Wyk, S S, Hamade, H, Hesseling, A C, Beyers, N, Enarson, D A, Mandalakas, A M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris, France IUATLD 01-05-2010
• Subjects: Adult; Antitubercular Agents - therapeutic use; Child, Preschool; Children; Documentation; Family Characteristics; Female; Guidelines; Humans; isoniazid; Isoniazid - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prevention; Registries; South Africa - epidemiology; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis - epidemiology; Tuberculosis - prevention & control; Urban Health Services - organization & administration; Young Adult; South Africa
• ISSN: 1027-3719; 1815-7920

Despite recommendations to provide isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) to eligible children aged <5 years who are in close contact with an infectious tuberculosis (TB) case, IPT delivery in high-burden settings remains poor. To evaluate the current system supporting IPT delivery to
children in an urban community, South Africa, we reviewed the recording practices of a local clinic regarding management of children exposed to a current adult TB case. No standardised IPT management tools existed. Only 21% of children eligible for IPT had documentation of IPT delivery. There
is a need to implement systems that support IPT recommendations in high-burden settings.