Predictors of treatment outcomes of childhood tuberculosis among patients attending the TB clinic at Mbagathi County Hospital, Nairobi County

Abstract

Background: Globally, tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death by a single infectious agent. An estimated one million children develop tuberculosis disease, and an estimated 233,000 die from its complications worldwide each year. Kenya is among the 30 high TB burden countries which accounted for 87% of the world’s cases. In 2019, 86,385 TB cases were notified in Kenya among which 8,393 were children aged below 15 years. Unlike studies on TB in adults, there is limited published data for the predictors of treatment outcomes in children. The aim of TB treatment policy is to cure patients and therefore alleviate suffering and prevent death from the disease. It’s also aimed at preventing long-term complications arising from the disease and prevent relapse. Treatment is also aimed at preventing the transmission of the infection and development of drug resistance. Outcomes of treatment is a good indicator of the performance of the TB program.