Determinants of latent tuberculosis infection among nurses at public health centers in Indonesia

Belitung Nursing Journal ◽

10.33546/bnj.1846 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Meira Erawati ◽

Megah Andriany

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Latent Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Latent Tuberculosis ◽

Basic Research ◽

Health Centers ◽

Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Interferon Gamma Release Assay ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significance Level ◽

Research Technology

Background: The incidence of latent tuberculosis among healthcare workers, especially nurses, at public health centers in Indonesia has been increased. Therefore, factors related to the tuberculosis incidence need to be further investigated. Objective: This study aimed to identify the determinants of latent tuberculosis infection among nurses at public health centers in Indonesia. Methods: This non-experimental, cross-sectional study included 98 nurses. Data on the determinants of latent tuberculosis infection were collected using validated questionnaires, and the infection status was confirmed by Interferon Gamma Release Assay or IGRA test. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Health facilities for tuberculosis transmission prevention were available in all public health centers (100%). Protocols for preventingtuberculosis transmission including occupational health and safety training (OR = 13.24, 95% CI [2.29–58.55]; p = 0.001), handwashing after contact with patients or specimens (OR = 20.55, 95% CI [4.23–99.93]; p = 0.000), and wearing of medical masks (OR = 9.56, 95% CI [1.99–45.69];p = 0.005) were found to be significant determinants of latent tuberculosis infection among nurses. Conclusion: The availability of protective equipment and implementation of health protocols among nurses at public health centers are the main determinants of latent tuberculosis infection. Hence, they should be maintained by all nurses to prevent the spread of tuberculosis. Funding: This study was funded by the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education (DRPM), Republic of Indonesia (Basic Research Grant, No 257-11/UN7.P4.3/PP/2019 in 2019).

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Latent Tuberculosis Infection among a Large Cohort of Medical Students at a Teaching Hospital in Italy

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/746895 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Paolo Durando ◽

Cristiano Alicino ◽

Andrea Orsi ◽

Ilaria Barberis ◽

Chiara Paganino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Latent Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Latent Tuberculosis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Large Cohort ◽

Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Interferon Gamma Release Assay ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Professional Exposure

The surveillance of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in both healthcare workers and healthcare students is considered fundamental for tuberculosis (TB) prevention. The aim of the present study was to estimate LTBI prevalence and evaluate potential risk-factors associated with this condition in a large cohort of medical students in Italy. In a cross-sectional study, performed between March and December 2012, 1511 eligible subjects attending the Medical School of the University of Genoa, trained at the IRCCS San Martino-IST Teaching Hospital of Genoa, were actively called to undergo the tuberculin skin test (TST). All the TST positive cases were confirmed with an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). A standardized questionnaire was collected for multivariate risk analysis. A total of 1302 (86.2%) students underwent TST testing and completed the questionnaire. Eleven subjects (0.8%) resulted TST positive and LTBI diagnosis was confirmed in 2 (0.1%) cases. Professional exposure to active TB patients (OR 21.7, 95% CI 2.9–160.2;Pvalue 0.003) and previous BCG immunization (OR 28.3, 95% CI 3.0–265.1;Pvalue 0.003) are independently associated with TST positivity. Despite the low prevalence of LTBI among Italian medical students, an occupational risk of TB infection still exists in countries with low circulation ofMycobacterium tuberculosis.

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