The Yield of a Tuberculosis Household Contact Investigation in Two Regions of Ethiopia

The Yield of a Tuberculosis Household Contact Investigation in Two Regions of Ethiopia

By: D. Jerene, M. Melese, Y. Kassie, G. Alem, S.H. Daba, N. Hiruye, B. Girma, P.G. Suarez
Publication: International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung DiseaseVol. 19, August 2015, 898-903(6)

Abstract

Setting

Amhara and Oromia regions, Ethiopia.

Objective

To determine the yield of a household contact investigation for tuberculosis (TB) under routine programme conditions.

Design

Between April 2013 and March 2014, TB clinic officers conducted symptom-based screening for household contacts (HHCs) of 6015 smear-positive TB (SS+ TB) index cases. Based on quarterly reported programme data, we calculated the yield in terms of number needed to screen (NNS) and number needed to test (NNT).

Results

Of 15 527 HHCs screened, 6.1% had presumptive TB (8.5% in Oromia vs. 3.9% in Amhara). All forms of TB and SS+ TB were diagnosed in respectively 2.5% (Oromia 3.9% vs. Amhara 1.2%) and 0.76% (Oromia 0.98% vs. Amhara 0.55%) of contacts. The NNS to detect a TB case all forms and SS+ TB was respectively 40 and 132. The NNT to diagnose a TB case all forms and SS+ TB was respectively 2.4 and 8. Of 1687 eligible children aged <5 years, 323 were started on isoniazid preventive therapy.

Conclusions

The yield of the household contact investigation was over 10 times higher than the estimated prevalence in the general population; household contact investigations can serve as an entry point for childhood TB care.