Uptake of isoniazid preventive therapy for tuberculosis among HIV patients in Kano, Nigeria

Context: Despite convincing data on its efficacy and recommendation by the World Health Organisation that isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) be included as part of the minimum package of care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, IPT has not been widely implemented. Aims: The study assessed uptake and predictors of IPT among HIV patients in Kano, Nigeria. Methods and Material: Using a cross-sectional study design, an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 320 HIV patients from 2 primary health-care centres using systematic sampling technique. Statistical analysis used: Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Majority of the respondents (309; 96.9%) believed that tuberculosis (TB) poses a threat to health and well-being of HIV patients and up to 307 (95.9%) knew that TB is preventable, but slightly over a half (172; 53.8%) of the respondents were using IPT for prevention of TB. Age, education, awareness and disclosure were found to be independent predictors of IPT uptake. Respondents who were 30 years or older (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16-5.24) and those who disclosed their HIV status to partner/family (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.15-3.68) had higher odds of IPT uptake, whereas respondents with informal education (AOR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.14-0.93) and those who lack awareness of IPT were less likely to uptake IPT (AOR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.08-0.68). Conclusions: IPT is being underutilised for the prevention of TB among HIV patients in Kano. This implies the need for health-care workers to introduce strategies to improve counseling and disclosure.