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.
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.
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.
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.