Decentralisation of child tuberculosis services increases case finding and uptake of preventive therapy in Uganda

Background A lack of capacity to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) in children at peripheral health facilities and limited contact screening and management contribute to low case finding in TB-endemic settings. Objective To evaluate the implementation of a pilot project that strengthened diagnosis, treatment and prevention of child TB at peripheral health facilities in Uganda. Methods In June 2015, health care workers at peripheral health facilities were trained to diagnose and treat child TB. Community health care workers were trained to screen household TB contacts. Before-and-after analysis as well as comparisons with non-intervention districts were used to evaluate impact on caseload and treatment outcomes. Results By December 2016, the average number of children (age Conclusion The strengthening of child TB services at peripheral health facilities in Uganda was associated with increased case finding, improved treatment outcomes and the successful implementation of contact screening and management.