Non-completion of latent tuberculous infection treatment among children in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
Non-completion of latent tuberculous infection treatment among children in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
Data
2016
Autores
Silva, A. P. Barbosa
Hill, P.
Belo, M. T. C. T.
Rabelo, S. G.
Menzies, D.
Trajman, A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
INT J TUBERC LUNG DIS
Resumo
BACKGROUND: Children with latent tuberculous in-
fection (LTBI) are particularly vulnerable to progression
to active tuberculosis (TB), and are thus a priority target
for isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT). However, adher-
ence to IPT is poor. We hypothesised that children from
poorer families, with reduced access to health care and
lack of understanding about the disease are more likely
to default from IPT.
METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to close
child contacts or their parents at the time of prescribing
IPT in three cities in Rio de Janeiro State. The children
were followed prospectively. Treatment adherence was
defined as taking 80% of prescribed doses.
RESULTS: Among 1078 children screened for LTBI,
97 (8.9%) did not return for tuberculin skin test
(TST) reading; 332 (30.8%) were TST-positive; 115/
332 (34.6%) were prescribed IPT, 6 of whom did not
initiate treatment and 11 did not adhere during the
first 2 months; 25 additional children did not
complete IPT. Overall non-completion was four times
more frequent among those with lower income.
Health care access and knowledge did not improve
treatment completion.
CONCLUSIONS: Substantial losses to follow-up oc-
curred before IPT prescription; this should be further
investigated. Among the children who started isoniazid,
low income, but not difficult access or poor knowledge,
increased the risk of treatment non-completion.
Description
Palavras-chave
LTBI, tuberculosis, isoniazid, preventive therapy, paediatrics.
Citação
Silva AP, Hill P, Belo MT, Rabelo SG, Menzies D, Trajman A. Non-completion of latent tuberculous infection treatment among children in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2016 Apr;20(4):479-86. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0609.