Risk factors for TB infection and disease in young childhood contacts in Malawi

Abstract

Background: Screening of children in household contact with smear-positive tuberculosis (TB) is universally recommended but seldom practiced in resource-poor settings. It has huge potential to reduce the burden of TB disease in children, particularly if streamlined to focus on those at greatest risk. Aims: To assess the prevalence of infection and disease amongst children aged ≤ 5 yrs in household contact with smear-positive TB. To identify which source case characteristics are risk factors for infection. Methods: A prospective, hospital-based audit was conducted over a 17-mth period in Southern Malawi. Smear-positive adults were identified and encouraged to bring their children to the outpa..