Management of child MDR-TB contacts across countries in the WHO European Region: a survey of current practice

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2017 Jul 1;21(7):774-777. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.16.0949.

Abstract

The World Health Organization European Region has one of the highest rates of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the world, resulting in many vulnerable children being exposed each year. Evidence for preventive therapy following MDR-TB exposure is limited and current guidance is conflicting. An internet-based survey was performed to determine clinical practice in this region. Seventy-two clinicians from 25 countries participated. Practices related to screening and decision-making were highly variable. Just over half provided preventive therapy for children exposed to MDR-TB; the only characteristic associated with provision was practice within the European Union (adjusted OR 4.07, 95%CI 1.33-12.5).

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology
  • Child
  • Contact Tracing*
  • Decision Making
  • Europe
  • European Union
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Pilot Projects
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / epidemiology
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / prevention & control*
  • World Health Organization

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents