Incidence and Risk Factors of Tuberculosis among Children Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Northwest, Ethiopia

Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health issue, especially for children living with HIV/AIDS. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the incidence of TB among children on Anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and its predictors in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 428 children on ART using simple random sampling from patient registries (2011-2020). STATA statistical software was used for data analysis. The Cox regression model was used to explore predictors of TB infection. Result: The study found that the incidence density of TB was 3.37 cases per 100 person-years. The risk factors for TB incidence among children on ART included a history of contact with active TB cases, missed isoniazid preventive therapy, advanced HIV/AIDS stages according to WHO clinical staging, poor drug adherence, and incomplete vaccination status. Conclusion: The incidence of TB among children on ART is high, particularly within the first year of enrollment. Children with incomplete vaccination, poor adherence, missed isoniazid prophylaxis, a history of TB contact, and advanced WHO clinical stage are at an increased risk of TB incidence.