Prevalence of tuberculosis infection and its relationship to stunting in children (under five years) household contact with new tuberculosis cases

BACKGROUND

Children who inhabit the same house with tuberculosis (TB) patients are at high risk for infection and illness with TB. Nutritional status (stunting) in children is related to the child's ability to withstand MTB (Mycobacterium Tuberculosis). This study aims to estimated the prevalence of tuberculosis infection and its relationship to stunting in children (under five years) with household contact (HHC) with new TB cases.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was implemented. Conducted in July 2018-April 2019 at 13 Public Health Center in Makassar City. The sample size was calculated using one sample situation-about precision formula. Samples were children under five who had contact with new diagnosed TB cases. Tuberculosis infection was measured by TST (tuberculin skin test). Logistic regression with causal model to examine TB infection relationship with stunting and covariate variable, analyzed using Stata/MP 13.0 software.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-six (126) eligible children. Prevalence of tuberculosis infection was 38.10%. Frequency of stunted was 31 children (24.60%). Stunted nutritional status (aPR): 2.36, 95% CI 1.60-3.44), boys (aPR: 1.47, 95% CI 0.96-2.25), not getting BCG immunization (aPR: 1.58, 95%) CI 0.89-2.82), and high contact intensity (aPR: 2.62, 95% CI 1.10-6.22) best predicted the tuberculosis infection in children with TB case household contacts with a model contribution of 64%.

CONCLUSION

Stunted nutritional status (moderate and severe), boys, not getting BCG immunization, and high contact intensity are the determinants of TB infection transmission in children HHC with TB. Children under five years of age who have close contact with TB cases should be targeted for priority interventions to prevent the transmission of TB infection and progressing to TB cases.

Why Do Some People Still Fail to Utilize Affordable Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Screening Services?: a Qualitative Study Among White Collar Workers in Depok, West Java, Indonesia

Background: Indonesia Basic Health Research (IBHR) 2013 results show that Depok citizens were at risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, participation on NCDs screening test among white collar workers was still 46.4%. Aim & Objective: The aim of this study is to explore barriers and challenges in accessing and implementing NCDs screening service at City Hall Depok. Methods and Material: This research used qualitative method. The data were collected through focus group discussion, in-depth interview, and document review. Results: The knowledge of informants about NCDs and NCDs screening needs improvement. The barriers for participating in NCDs screening were: tight work schedule, lack of information about NCDs screening programs, long queue, fear of an existing disease, and attention to the privacy of participants. Conclusions: Policy support and cooperation both across programs and sectors will be needed for future improvement. Education concerning NCDs and NCDs screening must be improved to engage utilization.