Risk Factors for Tuberculosis in Children: A Case-Control Study of Environmental, Nutritional, and Contact-Related Determinants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59796/jcst.V16N2.2026.168Keywords:
Childhood tuberculosis, risk factors, nutrition, contact history, housing conditions, Indonesia, environmentAbstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major pediatric health concern, particularly in high-burden settings such as Indonesia. Objective: To identify environmental, nutritional, and contact-related risk factors for childhood tuberculosis. A case-control study of 50 TB cases and 50 controls was conducted at Garuda Health Centre, Bandung, Indonesia (August 2024). Data on nutritional status, contact history, parental factors, and housing conditions were collected through structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. Proper ventilation was the strongest protective factor (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.264, p < 0.001), reducing TB risk by 73.6%. Contact history significantly increased risk (adjusted OR = 2.631, p < 0.001), and proper lighting provided substantial protection (adjusted OR = 0.451, p = 0.007). In univariate analysis, undernourished children had five times higher odds of TB (OR = 5.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.05 − 12.20, p = 0.001), though this effect was attenuated in multivariate models. Socioeconomic factors showed no independent associations. The model demonstrated good discriminatory performance (accuracy = 75%, area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.834). Environmental factors, particularly ventilation and lighting, are key modifiable determinants of childhood TB risk. Housing improvements should be prioritised alongside traditional TB prevention strategies in comprehensive control programmes.
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