Uptake and Completion of Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment among Contacts of Tuberculosis Patients in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Background: Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) is a proactive approach aimed at stopping latent tuberculosis (TB) infection from progressing into active TB disease. It is especially important for individuals who are at higher risk such as contacts of TB patients. This study was aimed at investigating the uptake and completion of TPT among contacts of TB patients. Methods: This was a prospective study involving the contacts of TB patients at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Awka. Patients diagnosed with active TB were enrolled, and their contacts were identified through comprehensive interviews. The identified contacts were followed up over a six-month period, with monthly check up visits. Results: A total of 121 patients with active TB disease were recruited for this study, leading to the identification of 474 contacts. Over 95% of the contacts were eligible for TPT, out of which 53.6% were initiated on TPT with their consent. Approximately 60.7% of under-five contacts were also commenced on TPT. Over 81% of contacts commenced on TPT completed their treatment with treatment completion rate significantly associated with the duration of the treatment regimen prescribed (p < 0.05). The under-five completion rate of TPT was 94.6%. The TPT outcomes in contacts was also significantly associated with the treatment outcomes of the index TB patients (p < 0.05).