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Paediatric tuberculosis treatment outcomes: a retrospective study at the Komfo Anokye teaching hospital in Ghana,

Charles Martyn-Dickens1,2, Jacob Solomon Idan3, Michael Ekow Mensah4,5

  • 1Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. charlesmd87@gmail.com.

BMC Pediatrics
|May 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric tuberculosis treatment success in Ghana was 83.4%, below the WHO target. Older age and HIV co-infection significantly increased unsuccessful outcomes, especially in underweight children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Public health
  • HIV/TB co-infection research

Background:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) significantly impacts children, especially those with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Ghana's integrated TB/HIV care has advanced, yet long-term pediatric outcomes data are scarce.
  • Limited data exist on pediatric TB treatment outcomes across age and nutritional spectrums in Ghana.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine TB treatment outcomes in children aged 0-14 years in Ghana.
  • To assess the impact of HIV co-infection on pediatric TB treatment success.
  • To identify factors associated with unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pediatric TB cases (0-14 years) from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (2014-2025).
  • TB cases confirmed clinically, radiologically, or bacteriologically.
  • Modified Poisson regression used to identify factors associated with unsuccessful outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Overall treatment success was 83.4%; unsuccessful outcomes included 8.9% deaths and 7.7% defaults.
  • HIV co-infection (ARR=1.39) and increasing age (ARR=1.06 per year) were significant predictors of unsuccessful treatment.
  • Underweight children with HIV experienced a 20% increased risk of unsuccessful treatment (ARR=1.20).

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric TB treatment success at KATH (83.4%) did not meet the WHO 90% target.
  • Older age and HIV co-infection are key risk factors for unsuccessful pediatric TB treatment.
  • Enhanced integrated TB/HIV services, focusing on adherence and nutritional support, are vital for improving outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenGhanaHIVPredictorsTreatment outcomesTuberculosis

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