Childhood tuberculosis in Malawi: Nationwide case-finding and treatment outcomes

Abstract

SETTING: All 43 non-private hospitals (three central, 21 district and 19 mission) in Malawi that register and treat adult and paediatric TB cases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the rate, pattern and treatment outcome of childhood TB case notifications in Malawi in 1998. DESIGN: Retrospective data collection using TB registers, treatment cards and information from health centre registers. Information was collected on number of cases, types of TB and treatment outcomes using standardised definitions. RESULTS: There were 22 982 cases of TB registered in Malawi in 1998, of whom 2739 (11.9%) were children. Children accounted for 1.3% of all case notifications with smear-positive pulmonary TB (PTB), 21.3% ..