RESUMEN
Background: This study objective was to describe the indications for the use of Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST) and the results in order to provide information that may be useful in defining the role of TST in the investigation and control of childhood tuberculosis. Methodology: Through a Prospective cross-sectional study an audit of TSTs carried out over a one year period (2015-2016)in a tertiary hospital was done. The indications for the TST were extracted as well as the TST readings. Results: Of the 1276 TST requests, 279(21.9%) were for children. Majority 112(40.1%) of the tests were carried out to investigate suspected cases of tuberculosis. The TST readings ranged between 0 and 20mm. Up to 68.2% (176) were negative (0-4mm). Majority 13(41.9%) of those with positive results (>10mm) were being investigated for tuberculosis. Of those diagnosed with tuberculosis 50% had a positive result. Conclusion: TST is useful in providing supportive evidence for a diagnosis of tuberculosis. It is also useful in identifying children at school entry who are infected and may benefit from prophylaxis.
RESUMEN
Delay in receipt of immunisation may result in a child being susceptible to vaccine preventable diseases for prolonged periods. Identification of factors which contribute to delay in receipt of immunisation will help in developing targeted interventions. This study examined prospectively factors contributing to delay in the commencement of infant immunisation in Benin City, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 153 consecutive mothers of infants presenting for their first immunisation at the Institute of Child Health Child Welfare Clinic of the University of Benin, Benin City. Reasons for not presenting in the first 24 hours were ascertained and associations between various factors and delay in commencement of immunisation were examined. Of the 153 mothers only 2 (1.3%) brought their babies for immunisation within 24 hours of birth while 66 (43.1%) brought their babies in the first week of life. The most cited reason (30.3%) for not presenting within 24 hours of birth was that BCG, one of the immunisations that should be given at birth is given only on a specific day. Mothers who did not know that immunisation should commence at birth (P = 0.0054), those from low socioeconomic class (P = 0.0056) and those with less than 12 years of schooling (P = 0.0001) were significantly less likely to bring their babies for immunisation in the first week of life. Delivery outside of health facilities was also associated with later presentation for immunisation (P = 0.0069). In conclusion, there is significant delay in the receipt of birth doses of immunisation. Change in clinic practices to enable daily immunisation as well as education of health care personnel on the importance of timely commencement of immunisation will ensure timeliness of receipt of birth doses of vaccines.