Risk Factors for latent tuberculosis infection among health care workers in a university affiliated hospital

摘要

Background: Health care workers represent an important risk group for exposure, infection, and potentially disease by M.tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and some risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection among health care workers in a teaching hospital. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009 at the Fatemieh hospital, Semnan, Iran. Information about age, gender, occupation, history of BCG vaccination and duration of employment was obtained by a structured questionnaire. All subjects received a Mantoux tuberculin skin test. Induration of ≥10 mm was considered a positive test. Results: A total of 180 health care workers (60.5% female, 39.5% male) were enrolled. Twenty five (13.9%) had a positive skin test. History of BCG vaccination was detected in 159 (88.3%) of participants. In Logistic regression analysis, employment for >5 years (OR=4.10; 95% CI, 1.07-15.68) and for >10 years (OR=4.59; 95% CI, 1.45-14.59) was significantly associated with increased risk of a positive test. Age, gender, history of BCG vaccination and type of occupation were not significantly associated with a positive TST response. Conclusion: A low prevalence of LTBI was found among health care workers in this hospital. Longer duration of employment was significantly associated with increased risk of positive TST.