Introduction: Paediatric tuberculosis (TB) underdiagnosis is a critical concern. The INPUT stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial assessed the impact of integrating child TB services into child healthcare on TB case detection among children under age 5 years.
Methods: We compared the standard of care, providing TB care in specific TB clinics (control phase), with the Catalysing Paediatric TB Innovations (CaP-TB) intervention, integrating TB services across all child health services (intervention phase).
Background: In 2021, over one million children developed tuberculosis, resulting in 214 000 deaths, largely due to inadequate diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis is limited in most high-burden countries because services are highly centralised at secondary/tertiary levels and are managed in a vertical, non-integrated way. To improve case detection and treatment among children, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends decentralised and integrated tuberculosis care models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMass testing with antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT), including testing of asymptomatic individuals, is expected to improve the identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Mass testing was offered at large gatherings to determine the SARS-CoV-2 case detection rate and the acceptance and cost of implementing this community testing strategy. In 49 high-attendance venues in Kiambu County, Kenya, from June to September 2022, individuals 2 years and older were offered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing, vaccination, and participation in a survey.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a setback to the gains achieved in tuberculosis (TB) control by impairing TB diagnosis, delaying treatment initiation and aggravating TB deaths. This study explored the effect of COVID-19 on paediatric TB services provided through the Catalysing Paediatric TB Innovations (CaP-TB) project among caregivers of children receiving TB services and healthcare workers (HCWs) providing TB services in Cameroon and Kenya.
Methods: From March to September 2021, in-depth interviews (44) were conducted with caregivers whose children under 5 years had gone through TB services and programme managers (10) overseeing the CaP-TB project.
Background: Despite tremendous progress in antiretroviral therapy (ART) and access to ART, many patients have advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease (AHD). Patients on AHD, whether initiating ART or providing care after disengagement, have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) launched an enhanced care package using a hub-and-spoke model to optimize AHD care in Malawi.
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