Screening childhood contacts of patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Malawi.
A survey was conducted by the National Tuberculosis Programme in 44 Malawian hospitals on screening young children aged 5 years or less in households of adults diagnosed with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Of 659 hospitalised adult patients, 267 (41%) had a total of 365 young children; 56 (21%) adult patients had been informed about childhood screening, and in 31 (12%) some of their children were screened. Of the 365 young children, 33 (9%) were screened for TB--23 received isoniazid preventive therapy, six received anti-tuberculosis treatment, and in four no action was taken. Steps are needed to improve childhood screening procedures.
Claessens
N J M
NJ
Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Gausi
F F
FF
Meijnen
S
S
Weismuller
M M
MM
Salaniponi
F M
FM
Harries
A D
AD
D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D007538:Isoniazid