Characterisation of tuberculosis mortality in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya: analysis of data between 2002 and 2016

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the key public health problems in Africa. Due to multifaceted challenges, its burden is poorly described in informal settlements. We describe tuberculosis mortality in two informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of 2002–2016 verbal autopsy data from informal settlements in the Nairobi Urban Health Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS). A descriptive analysis of deaths assigned as caused by TB was done. Pearson chi-square tests were used to determine differences between socio-demographic factors. Logistic regression was carried out to examine the risk of death from TB within the characteristics. RESULTS: There were 6218 deaths in the NUHDSS within the period of analysis, of which 930 (14.96%) were deaths from TB. The average number of TB deaths per year was 62(SD 23.9). There was a reduction in TB deaths from 21.2% in 2005 to 1.7% in 2016. Males had 1.39 higher odds of dying from TB than females (AOR 1.39; 95% CI 1.18–1.64; p-value < 0.001). Compared to those aged 30–39 years, the ≥50-year-olds had a 42% lower chance of dying from TB (AOR 0.57; 95% CI 0.47–0.73; p-value < 0.001). Those dying at home had 1.39 odds of dying from TB as compared to those who died in a health facility(AOR 1.93; 95% CI 1.17–1.64; p value< 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a reduction in TB deaths over the study period. Males had the highest risk of death. There is a need to strengthen TB surveillance and access to TB diagnosis and treatment within informal settlements to enhance early diagnosis and treatment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06464-2.