title: Assessment of current practices in management of childhood TB among frontline clinicians in Southern Nigeria.
abstract: Poor competence of clinicians may be a critical factor responsible for the under-diagnosis of childhood TB in high-burden settings. Our objective was to assess the current practices of management of childhood TB among clinicians in Nigeria.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinicians recruited through a three-stage sampling technique from 76 health facilities in Southern Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to all participants.
  
  
  
  Of 106 clinicians who completed the survey, 73 (68.9%) were <40 years and 67 (63.2%) were males. Also, 14 (13.2%) were paediatricians, 22 (20.8%) were paediatric specialist trainees and 70 (66%) were medical officers in primary and secondary care health facilities. About 94% of the respondents perceived diagnosis of childhood TB a challenge in Nigeria. The overall mean (SD) knowledge score was 3.8±0.9 (maximum 5), and 68 (64.2%) had good knowledge of childhood TB. The mean (SD) appropriate practice score was 4.0±1.7 (maximum 10) and, only 8 (7.5%) of them were considered to have adopted appropriate practices regarding childhood TB care.
  
  
  
  There are gaps in practices adopted by frontline clinicians in the management of childhood TB in Nigeria. Focused training of health workers on childhood TB care is urgently recommended.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Joseph N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Chukwu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria ukwajakingsley@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Kingsley N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Ukwaja
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ngozi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ekeke
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Nwafor
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Anthony O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Meka
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nelson O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Madichie
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Moses C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Anyim
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chidubem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ogbudebe
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adegbesan
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ikebudu
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Enugu State, Nigeria Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Oshi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents
keywords: Children; Clinicians; Nigeria; TB; Tuberculosis