Factor associated with TB-HIV co-infection in children recieving anti-retroviral therapy in Imo State, Nigeria
Date
2023-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Abstract
Nearly 90% of children living with HIV and Tuberculosis are domiciled in Sub-Saharan Africa. While HIV and TB care has improved over the years, low and middle-income countries still fall behind. Given the paucity of data on TB-HIV co-infection in children, understanding the risk factors for co-infection in this age group has been difficult. In this study, we used a matched case-control study design to understand the risk factors of TB-HIV in children receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Imo, State, Nigeria. 30 TB-HIV incident cases and 90 control children living with HIV receiving ART were recruited from selected HIV treatment sites in Imo State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on family size, socioeconomic status, passive smoking, household food security, and household TB exposure. Our analysis included cases matched by age and gender in a ratio of 1:3 to controls. The study showed a prevalence of 6.2 in children receiving ART in Imo state. The largest proportion of study participants was among children aged 15-17 (39.2%). The risk of co-infection increased as the number of people living with the child increased. Having at least three people living with a child in a room was found significant in TB-HIV coinfection (p = 0.006, 95%CI for odds =1.76 – 28.78). Almost all items assessed for household food security were significant factors in TB-HIV co-infection. Reduced food intake for children was found to be a significant factor in TB-HIV coinfection (p=0.004, x 2 = 8.50). Having a family member living with HIV (p=0.016, x 2 = 5.75) or having symptoms of TB (p=0.0001, x 2 =50.39). The significant factors of passive smoking were the extent to which the respondents think they are exposed to tobacco smoke at home (p=0.0001, x 2 = 24.14), having some members of the family smoke inside the home (p=0.0001 x2 = 17.57), and having some degree of exposure to tobacco smoke in socialization areas outside the household (p=0.0001, x 2 = 22.80). None of the social-economic status factors assessed in this study was found significant for co-infection except those who earn income to support the family (p=0.023, x 2 = 11.36) and the hours of work they do each week (p=0.038, x 2 =6.54). This study showed that household food security, passive smoking, family size, and household TB exposure are associated with TB-HIV co-infection in children. Our data is consistent with other studies of TB-HIV co-infection that family size, exposure to tobacco smoke and socioeconomic status are associated with HIV-TB Co-infection. The study recommended the improvement of socioeconomic status and sensitization of families with HIV positive children to reduce tobacco exposure.
Description
This thesis is for the award Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Keywords
Coinfection, HIV, TB, children, antiretroviral therapy, Department of Public Health
Citation
Ogini, I. O. (2023). Factor associated with TB-HIV co-infection in children recieving anti-retroviral therapy in Imo State, Nigeria (Unpublished Master's Thesis). Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria