Aminat Sani, BSc, MSc Microbiology (Research Fellow Lady Helen Child Health Foundation) Dr Benjamin Odeka, MBBS DCH MA FRCP FRCPCH (Director of Research Lady Helen Child Health Foundation)
Theme: Omics Sciences, Synthetic Biology and Molecular Genetics: Catalyst for Advancing Microbial Research and Innovation.Â
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The target of Sustainable Development Goal is to end the Tuberculosis epidemic by 2030. Nigeria was classified a high burden country for cases of Tuberculosis in 2020, with one missed case capable of infecting about 15 people. In closing this gap, the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with Lady Helen Child Health Foundation embarked on a TB Screening programme to Four Children Care Homes in Abuja, selected through random sampling and visited to create awareness about the disease in the vulnerable communities, screen children living in these communities, carry out contact tracing and provide them with TB preventive support, treat and report diagnosed cases.
Methodology: Randomly selected home and children were screened for symptoms of TB or exposure to any risk factors of TB (Malnutrition). Sputum and stool samples were collected and tested using Genexpert, children at risk of TB were screened for lung infection using chest X-ray machine.
Result: 103 vulnerable children from four care homes were screened. No child tested positive to TB or malnourishment. 163 people in the vulnerable communities were offered information about TB awareness.
Discussion and Conclusion: This research suggests that risk factor like malnutrition should be considered in TB case findings among children. This study also supports the evidence that accurate and updated TB prevalence data can be obtained by using advanced research methods.
References:
Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria and World Health Organization. Tuberculosis Epidemiological Review, Nigeria. FMH: 2020.
National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme. Human Rights and Gender Action Plan for Tuberculosis Care and Prevention in Nigeria. NTBLCP: 2021.
Sani, A and Odeka, B.E. (2025). Eradicating Tuberculosis (Tb): Active Case Finding Among Vulnerable Children in an African City. British Medical Journal bmj – In press.
World Health Organization. Roadmap towards ending TB in children and adolescents. 2nd Ed. Geneva. WHO: 2018.
