Barriers to childhood tuberculosis case detection and management in Cambodia: the perspectives of healthcare providers and caregivers

作者：Yom An, Alvin Kuo Jing Teo, Chan Yuda Huot, Sivanna Tieng, Kim Eam Khun, Sok Heng Pheng, Chhenglay Leng, Serongkea Deng, Ngak Song, Daisuke Nonaka, Siyan Yi · 发表于：BMC Infectious Diseases · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1186/s12879-023-08044-y · 被引用次数：14 · 研究领域：Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology、Antibiotic Use and Resistance、Healthcare Facilities Design and Sustainability

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in children remain challenging, particularly in resource-limited settings. Healthcare providers and caregivers are critical in improving childhood TB screening and treatment. This study aimed to determine the barriers to childhood TB detection and management from the perspectives of healthcare providers and caregivers in Cambodia. METHOD: We conducted this qualitative study between November and December 2020. Data collection included in-depth interviews with 16 healthcare providers purposively selected from four operational districts and 28 caregivers of children with TB and children in close contact with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB residing in the catchment areas of the selected health centers. Data were analyzed using thematic analyses. RESULTS: Mean ages of healthcare providers and caregivers were 40.2 years (standard deviation [SD] 11.9) and 47.9 years (SD 14.6), respectively. Male was predominant among healthcare providers (93.8%). Three-fourths of caregivers were female, and 28.6% were grandparents. Inadequate TB staff, limited knowledge on childhood TB, poor collaboration among healthcare providers in different units on TB screening and management, limited quality of TB diagnostic tools, and interruption of supplies of childhood TB medicines due to maldistribution from higher levels to health facilities were the key barriers to childhood TB case detection and management. Caregivers reported transport...