Factors affecting uptake and completion of isoniazid preventive therapy among HIV-infected children at a national referral hospital, Kenya: a mixed quantitative and qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic infection and the leading cause of death in people living with HIV (PLHIV). HIV-infected children are at a higher risk of TB infection and disease compared to those without HIV. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is an effective intervention in preventing progression of latent TB infection to active TB. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that all children aged > 12 months and adults living with HIV in whom active TB has been excluded should receive a 6-months course of IPT as part of a comprehensive package of HIV care. Despite this recommendation, the uptake of IPT among PLHIV has been suboptimal globally. This study sought to determine the factors affecting IPT uptake and completion among HIV-infected children in a large HIV care centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Method This was a cross-sectional mixed methods study comprising of quantitative and qualitative study designs. Medical records of 225 HIV-infected children aged 1 to 90%. The completion rate was however acceptable. There is an urgent need to address the identified barriers.

Keywords

• Isoniazid
• Tuberculosis
• Opportunistic infections
• HIV infection
• Qualitative research