WHO South East Asia J Public Health. 2012 Jan-Mar;1(1):76-84. doi: 10.4103/2224-3151.206917.

Risk factors of childhood tuberculosis: a case control study from rural Bangladesh.

WHO South-East Asia journal of public health

Mohamed R Karim, Mohamed A Rahman, Shaikh Aa Mamun, Mohamed A Alam, Shahnaz Akhter

PMID: 28612781 DOI: 10.4103/2224-3151.206917

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major causes of childhood morbidity and mortality; however, it is relatively a neglected disease. Hence, we explored the risk factors for childhood TB.

METHODS: Ninty-five cases and 94 controls were selected during January to May 2011 from DOTS centres located in four sub-districts of Bangladesh. The exposure status of recently diagnosed childhood TB patients (<18-year-olds), who were sputum-positive, were compared with children who were sent to the laboratory with suspected tuberculosis but were found to be sputum-negative. Data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Crude odds ratios (OR), adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Stepwise logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors.

RESULTS: Children under 14 years of age (AOR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.10-0.66), having completed primary education (AOR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.10-0.74), whose fathers' were in business or service (AOR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.72), and who slept in a less crowded room (AOR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.14-0.76), lived in a house with a separate kitchen (AOR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.16-0.96) had less chance of having TB. Those who had contact with cases of TB among relatives or neighbours were less likely to have TB (AOR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.16-0.70) compared to those who had contact with a TB case in the family.

CONCLUSION: Age, education, father's occupation, crowding, kitchen location and intimate contact with a TB case were significantly associated with smear-positive childhood TB.

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• Journal Article