Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Internally Displaced School Children in Mayo area, Khartoum

Abstract

Tuberculosis remains a public health problem worldwide. It is a social disease prevalent in population undergoing the stress of poverty, malnutrition and displacement. This descriptive cross sectional community based study conducted to measure the prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection and associated risk factors among the internally displaced school children in Mayo area in Khartoum (in Mandilla camp and Elwihda area) during the period form ١st of September ٢٠٠٥ to February, ١٥th ٢٠٠٦. Tuberculin survey was carried out in four basic schools. ٣٩٩ schoolchildren in the age group ٦-٩ years were included in this study. Mantoux test performed with intra-dermal injection of ٠٫١ ml (٥ TU) and reaction measured ٣-٤ days later. The mean age of the children in the study is ٧٫٤ years. Females were dominated by males with ratio of ١٫٢: ١. Eighty seven percent of the children were vaccinated with BCG and ٧١٫٧٪ of the studied population has BCG scar. The cutoff points for Latent TB infection were taken at ١٠mm and more for the non-vaccinated children and ١٥ mm and more for the BCG vaccinated. The prevalence of Latent TB infection among children without scar is ١٧٫٦٪, while fore the whole ١٤% of the children were infected; The ARI is estimated as ٢٫٠٢٪ which gives an incidence of ١٠٠٫٩/١٠٠،٠٠٠ smear positive cases per year. Domestic crowding, contact with tuberculous patient and older age are risk factors associated with Latent TB infection in this study. However, the difference was neither significant in relation to gender nor to nutritional status. Tuberculosis is a preventable disease; improving socioeconomic conditions, reducing crowding, contact investigations and vaccination are strongly recommended for it is control.