Qualitative study on feasibility and aceptability of chemical prophylaxis for children/adolescents contacts with latent tuberculosis infection

ObjectiveTo ascertain the acceptability and feasibility of chemical prophylaxis for children and adolescent contacts with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).

MethodsNine focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in three districts of Shanghai from August 2015 to January 2016.A total of 50 participants were recruited including 18 parents with household TB patients and 32 health care providers.Questions on children and adolescents contacts TB screening, acceptability and feasibility of chemical prophylaxis for children with LTBI were interviewed by FGDs.Nvivo 10.0 was used to identify the key massages from these FGDs through coding, categorization and grouping into corresponding themes.

ResultsAlthough symptom inquiry and Chest-X-ray were provided for children and adolescent contacts, but few of them received TB screening due to the shortage of PPD and concerns of radiation.Most of parents held positive attitudes to chemical prophylaxis with the consideration of preventing active TB.Shortage of knowledge about LTBI and chemo-prophylaxis made it difficult to get the permission on prophylaxis for children contacts with LTBI.Health providers could understand the potential benefits about chemoprophylaxis but still thought it unfeasible considering the adverse drug reaction, high costs for medication, long duration and unobservable effects of LTBI prophylaxis.

ConclusionFor providing LTBI screening and chemoprophylaxis for children and adolescent contacts, cooperation between household, CDC, communities and hospitals should be established for further surveillance of adverse drug reaction.Health education on LTBI and prophylaxis need to be strengthened.