Willingness of Caregivers to Give Preventive Therapy to Children Living in Households of Patients with Rifampin-resistant Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND Pediatric household contacts (HHCs) of patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) are at high risk of infection and active disease. Evidence of caregiver willingness to give MDR-TB preventive therapy (TPT) to children is limited.

METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of HHCs of patients with MDR-TB to assess caregiver willingness to give TPT to children aged <13 years.

RESULTS Of 743 adult and adolescent HHCs, 299 reported caring for children aged <13 years of age. The median caregiver age was 35 years (IQR 27–48); 75% were women. Among caregivers, 89% were willing to give children MDR TPT. In unadjusted analyses, increased willingness was associated with TB-related knowledge (OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.3–11.3), belief that one can die of MDR-TB (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.2–23.4), concern for MDR-TB transmission to child (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.6–12.4), confidence in properly taking TPT (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.6–12.6), comfort telling family about TPT (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.1–14.3), and willingness to take TPT oneself (OR 35.1, 95% CI 11.0–112.8).

CONCLUSIONS A high percentage of caregivers living with MDR- or rifampicin-resistant TB patients were willing to give children a hypothetical MDR TPT. These results provide important evidence for the potential uptake of effective MDR TPT when implemented.