Implementation of isoniazid preventive therapy in children aged under 5 years exposed to tuberculosis in Benin

Abstract

Settings: Two large tuberculosis (TB) centres under a well-functioning National TB Programme (NTP) in Benin, West Africa.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and results of integrating a programme of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) in children aged <5 years exposed to TB as part of the existing routine activities of the NTP.

Method: All children aged <5 years living in the household of a patient with smear-positive pulmonary TB were examined by a doctor and received IPT if no evidence of TB was detected. The children were followed clinically by a nurse for 6 months.

Results: From January 2013 to June 2014, 496 children were examined and prescribed IPT among 499 notified contacts; 86% adhered to IPT for at least 6 months. There were six deaths and three cases of active TB among the children, all during the first 3 months of follow-up.

Conclusions: In an African country with moderate TB incidence and a well-functioning NTP, the integration of IPT into the NTP for children aged <5 years exposed to TB in the family was feasible based on simple tools associated with the follow-up of index cases. The rate of adherence to IPT was high.