Outcome of Childhood Tuberculosis at a Specialist Hospital in Gusau, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease that is preventable and curable, yet a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Tuberculosis prevalence and mortality are under-estimated in many high burden countries. Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) enhances treatment outcome with an overall reduction in morbidity and development of multidrug resistant TB. Objective: To determine the pattern and outcome of childhood tuberculosis managed at the DOTS clinic in Gusau, Nigeria. Methodology: A retrospective study of children managed for TB at the DOTS clinic over a 30