Addressing Child & Adolescent Tuberculosis Case Finding Gaps in Africa

Overview

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant and ongoing public health challenge in Africa, with the continent bearing a disproportionate burden. Seventeen of the 30 countries with the highest TB burden globally are African nations.1

In 2022, an estimated 322,000 children and young adolescents (under 15 years) in Africa fell ill with TB, representing a third of all childhood TB cases worldwide.2 Two-thirds of African children with TB are undiagnosed, due in part to non-specific symptoms and diagnostic limitations, leading to faster progression of the disease and increased risk of death, especially in young children. It is estimated that 75,000 children in Africa lose their lives due to TB each year.3

These statistics underscore the critical and pressing need to address TB among children and adolescents to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by this curable disease. Key to this effort is effective TB case finding for this population.

What is TB Case Finding?

TB case finding is the systematic process of identifying individuals with TB, including those who are asymptomatic or have non-specific symptoms. Effective case finding is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment, reducing TB transmission across communities, preventing severe health complications, and lowering mortality rates. In children, especially younger ones, timely case finding is vital due to the risk of rapid progression of TB and the elevated risk of severe, life-threatening complications.