Risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus infection in Ethiopian children with tuberculosis

Background. Separate risk factors for BW infection and for tuberculosis (TB ) are well-studied, but it is unclear whether these risk factors still appl y in the new epidemiologic situation of dual infection. This study examines risk factors associated with seropositivity for HIV in Ethiopian children with clinical Methods. A prospective, controlled study of children with TB diagnosed in A ddis Ababa from December 11,1995, to January 28, 1997, in which HIV-positiv e children were compared with HIV-negative children with regard to sociodem ographic background, previous medical history and vaccination. Results. HIV prevalence among children with clinical TB was 11.2%. High edu cational status of mothers, low age, loss of one or two parents and earlier Calmette-Guerin bacillus (BCG) vaccination of the child were factors indep endently related to HIV infection. Conclusion. Factors associated with DW infection among children with clinic al TB include higher education of parents, higher income and better living conditions. The HIV epidemic might thus modify traditional risk factors for tuberculosis. It might also decrease the overall effect of BCG vaccination given that BCG did not provide protection in children infected with HIV. A n expected increase of dually infected children who are younger, more in ne ed of hospitalization and often lacking one or both parents will put an add itional burden on the Ethiopian health care system.