Pediatric Tuberculosis Screening through Parent Involvement

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries. Pediatric TB poses a unique challenge due to the difficulty in diagnosing the disease in young children. Early detection and treatment of TB are crucial to prevent transmission and improve outcomes. Parent involvement in pediatric TB screening can be vital in increasing case detection and reducing morbidity and mortality. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of pediatric TB screening through parent involvement in a community setting in Indonesia. The study will assess this approach's feasibility, acceptability, and impact on identifying TB cases among children. The findings will contribute to developing effective strategies for pediatric TB screening in resource-limited settings. Methods: The research used a pre-and post-test design with a control group design involving 177 mothers with children aged 0-14 years in the Seberang Health Center Working Area, Padang City. Three interventions were applied: self-screening education, structured training, and self-screening simulation. Results: The intervention group showed notable improvements in knowledge, understanding, confidence, and skills across all stages, with statistically significant results (p < 0.05). In contrast, the control group experienced either minimal improvements or decreases in these areas. These findings suggest that the comprehensive approach of education, training, and simulation-based interventions is highly effective in enhancing parents' capacity for early detection of childhood tuberculosis, offering a promising solution for preventing and managing the disease. Conclusions: The results showed significant improvements in mothers' knowledge, understanding, and skills, with each approach contributing differently. The implications are substantial, providing practical guidance for the implementation of TB self-screening in communities and changing the paradigm of TB detection in children nationally and globally.