Childhood tuberculosis: an index measuring the ability to detect cases early

Tuberculosis control programmes are conventionally monitored using data from sputum smear positive adult patients. Good overall results may mask significant and avoidable shortcomings with tuberculosis control in children.

To develop a specific surveillance tool for child patients, using the ability to detect cases early as a parameter for the impact of control measures.

A simple index of early detection was compiled with values ranging from 0 to 100. Three groups of tuberculous children diagnosed in Germany between 1985 and 1994 (n = 303), and five other groups from the literature, were used to make a preliminary assessment of the validity of the index.

The index values of 10, 13 and 24 for the German groups correlate well with other analysed patient data and the different functions of the institutions where the patients were diagnosed. Comparable characteristics could be found when applying the index to published data of other cases, with values of between 12 and 74.

The proposed index seems suitable for monitoring early detection of child cases. Unexpected trends can be disclosed or effects of changed programme activities assessed. Routine use of the index would help the health services focus their attention on problem areas and specific patient groups with extremely low or falling index values. Conclusions can be drawn regarding the overall impact of the control programme.