Magnitude of tuberculosis and its associated factors among under-five children admitted with severe acute malnutrition to public hospitals in the city of Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia, 2021: multi-center cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and its associated factors among children under 5 years of age with severe acute malnutrition.

Methods: A multi-center, institution-based, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at public hospitals in Dire Dawa City Administration, Eastern Ethiopia from January 1, 2018 to December 30, 2020. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with the prevalence of TB.

Results: The overall prevalence of TB among children under 5 years of age admitted with severe acute malnutrition to public hospitals in the city of Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia was 10.39% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.61-13.73%). Repeated admission (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.5, 95% CI 1.08-6.07), a TB contact history (AOR 3.58, 95% CI 1.21-10.6), pneumonia (AOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.29-6.23), stage IV HIV/AIDS (AOR 4.41, 95% CI 1.29-15.13), and being immunized (AOR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08-0.43) were variables significantly associated with the prevalence of TB.

Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of TB among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition was high. The prevalence of TB was associated with having HIV/AIDS, having pneumonia, having a TB contact history, admission status, and immunization status. Integrated TB prevention and screening strategies with nutritional rehabilitation care should be implemented.