Isoniazid Preventive Therapy among Children Living with Tuberculosis Patients: Is It Working? A Mixed-Method Study from Bhopal, India

OBJECTIVE: We assessed uptake of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) among child contacts of smear-positive tuberculosis (TB) patients and its implementation challenges from healthcare providers’ and parents’ perspectives in Bhopal, India. METHODS: A mixed-method study design: quantitative phase (review of programme records and house-to-house survey of smear-positive TB patients) followed by qualitative phase (interviews of healthcare providers and parents). RESULTS: Of 59 child contacts (<6 years) of 129 index patients, 51 were contacted. Among them, 19 of 51 (37%) were screened for TB and one had TB. Only 11 of 50 (22%) children were started and 10 of 50 (20%) completed IPT. Content analysis of interviews revealed lack of awareness, risk perception among parents, cumbersome screening process, isoniazid stock-outs, inadequate knowledge among healthcare providers and poor programmatic monitoring as main barriers to IPT implementation. CONCLUSION: National TB programme should counsel parents, train healthcare providers, simplify screening procedures, ensure regular drug supply and introduce an indicator to strengthen monitoring and uptake of IPT.