Integration of TB into child health policies in Africa’s high-burden countries: a normative analysis

Abstract

Integration of paediatric TB care into decentralised child health services has the potential to reduce the large proportion of childhood TB that remains undiagnosed. We performed a review of national guidelines and policies for TB and child health to evaluate the normative integration of paediatric TB into existing child health programmes in 15 high TB burden countries in Africa. While integration is addressed in 80% of the national strategic plans for TB, the child health strategies insufficiently address TB in their plans to reduce child mortality. Emphasis needs to be put on multi-sectoral collaboration among national health programmes.

Provision of Decentralized TB Care Services: A Detect–Treat–Prevent Strategy for Children and Adolescents Affected by TB

“…National TB strategic plans increasingly recognize the importance of strengthening the integration of TB into child and adolescent health programs. However, TB is not systematically included in key policy frameworks, strategies, and operational tools to reduce child mortality, such as Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI), or the management of acute malnutrition [44,45]. Providers of child and adolescent health services are not necessarily trained in basic TB prevention, diagnosis, and care; TB services are often managed and delivered separately by different providers [46].…”