scholarly journals Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among health workers in Afghanistan: A cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252307
Author(s):  
Ghulam Qader Qader ◽  
Mohammad Khaled Seddiq ◽  
Khakerah Mohammad Rashidi ◽  
Lutfullah Manzoor ◽  
Azizullah Hamim ◽  
...  

Background About 26% of the world’s population may have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Health care workers are a high-risk category because of their professional exposure. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed the LTBI burden among health care workers in Afghanistan, a high-TB-burden country. We selected health facilities using a systematic sampling technique and invited all workers at the targeted health facilities to participate. Participants were interviewed about sociodemographic and exposure variables and received tuberculin skin tests for LTBI. Results Of the 4,648 health care workers invited to participate, 3,686 had tuberculin skin tests. The prevalence of LTBI was found to be 47.2% (1,738 workers). Multivariate analysis showed that a body mass index of ≥ 30 and marriage were associated with an increased risk of LTBI. Underweight (body mass index of ≤ 18 and below) and normal body mass index had no association with increased risk of LTBI. Conclusion LTBI is high among health care workers in Afghanistan. We recommend instituting infection control measures in health facilities and screening workers for timely TB diagnosis.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfaye Solomon ◽  
Dejene Lemessa

Abstract Background: Health care workers are susceptible to acquiring blood and body fluids borne infections due to their occupations involving contact with patients and their body fluids, although studies conducted in Ethiopia are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude of exposure to blood and body fluids among health care workers in governmental health facilities in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.Materials and methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 19 to June 25, 2018. A total of 381 health care workers were selected by simple random sampling from 31 sampled governmental health facilities using proportional to size allocation. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, entered into Epi-info version 7, and analyzed by SPSS version 21. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated for variables retained in the multivariable logistic regression and significance declared at p<0.05.Results: Of 377 health care workers who participated, the study found that 233 (61.2%) were exposed to blood and body fluids in their lifetime. Previous needle stick injury (AOR=0.30; 95%CI: 0.12-0.75), type of health facility (AOR=0.42; 95%CI: 0.26-0.68), handwashing practice (AOR=0.15; 95%CI: 0.07, 0.31), and perceiving at risk (AOR=0.16; 95%CI: 0.03, 0.98) were protective factors whereas long work experience (AOR=1.47; 95%CI: 1.13-1.93) was a risk factor for the exposure.Conclusions: Exposures to blood and body fluids during patient care were common among health care workers in the study area. Therefore, health care workers especially those newly hired and working in hospitals should pay due attention to their occupation's safety and regularly practice hand washing during critical times.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Moe Hnin Phyu ◽  
Hutcha Sriplung ◽  
Myo Su Kyi ◽  
Cho Cho San ◽  
Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong

Health care workers (HCWs) in high tuberculosis (TB) prevalence countries have to care for many cases, thus increasing their risk of infection. The objective of the study was to compare the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) between general HCWs and TB HCWs, and also to explore the associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from September 2019 to January 2020. Staff working at two general hospitals were recruited. Those allocated for TB care were classified as TB HCWs, while the remaining were classified as general HCWs. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and screened for LTBI using a tuberculin skin test (TST). Individuals who had an induration of 10 mm or more with normal chest radiograph were regarded as having LTBI. The prevalence of LTBI among general HCWs was 2.04 times higher than that of TB HCWs (31.2% vs. 15.3%, p < 0.001). The associated factors for LTBI included low education level, duration of work experience ≥ 10 years, a low knowledge of regular TB screening, and teaching cough etiquette to TB patients. The higher prevalence of LTBI in the general HCWs in this study was due to confounding by education and experience. After adjustment for these, we have no evidence to support that either group of HCWs had higher LTBI risk.


2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunfeng Deng ◽  
Yun Liu ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Hui Jing ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study aimed to reveal the associated risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) detected by T-SPOT.TB assay among health care workers (HCWs) at different working locations or job categories in China. This cross-sectional study included 934 HCWs who underwent the T-SPOT.TB assay. Demographic and social characteristics of the participants, including age, sex, job categories, department/ward and duration of healthcare service, were recorded. Among 934 HCWs, 267 (28.5867%) were diagnosed as having LTBI with positive T-SPOT.TB assay. HCWs working in inpatient tuberculosis (TB) (odds ratio (OR) 2.917; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.852–4.596; P < 0.001) and respiratory wards (OR 1.840; 95% CI 1.124–3.011; P = 0.015), and with longer duration of healthcare service (OR 1.048; 95% CI 1.016–1.080; P = 0.003) were risk factors for positive T-SPOT.TB result. Furthermore, longer working duration increased the positive rate of T-SPOT.TB results for physicians and nurses, and physicians had higher risks than nurses for the same working duration. Inpatient TB and respiratory wards were high-risk working locations for HCWs with LTBI, and longer duration of healthcare service also increased the risk of LTBI among HCWs. A complete strategy for TB infection control and protection awareness among HCWs should be enhanced.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 89-94
Author(s):  
Philippe Salomon Nguwoh ◽  
Akenji Blaise Mboringong ◽  
Joseph Fokam ◽  
Christian Ngounouh Taheu ◽  
Ibrahima Halilou ◽  
...  

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and has subsequently become a worldwide pandemic. During the pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) were very exposed to COVID-19 infected patients. The aim of this study was to determine seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) among HCWs in three health facilities of Yaounde. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 368 HCWs was conducted from January 18th to February 13th, 2021, in three health facilities located in city of Yaounde. Data of study participants were collected by face-to-face interviews using standard questionnaire. Blood samples were collected in labelled dry tubes and analyzed using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) cassettes (Abbott PanbioTMCOVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Device). The data collected was analyzed using Epi info version 7. Any value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The average age was 30.25 (SD±10.43) years old, range from 21 to 72 years old. Overall, the positivity rates of IgM, IgG and IgM+IgG were 6.79% (n=25), 17.93% (n=66) and 1.09% (n=4) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, the rate of IgM positivity was highest in laboratory personnel (χ2= 7.99, p=0.3) and IgG (χ2= 8.50, p=0.29), IgM+IgG (χ2= 1.92, p=0.26) respectively in pharmacy and clinical personnel. The clinical signs such as fever (˃38°C) or history of fever was statistically significant with IgM (χ2=11.71, p= 0.0006) while, sore throat was statistically significant associated with IgM (χ2= 14.3, p= 0.0008) and IgG (χ2= 6.33, p= 0.04). Conclusion: The results of this study reveal a high seroprevalence of circulation of the virus in hospital milieu in Yaounde suggesting the continuation of the COVID-19 « Track-Test-Treat » system to break the chain of transmission.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. 465-470
Author(s):  
Juhaina Abdulraiem AL Mosharaf ◽  
Adam Abdalla Mater

Health care workers (HCW) are at increased risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) from occupational exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The objective was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for LTBI among primary HCW in Aljazeera state Sudan. We conducted an analytical study, among HCW in TB treatment center using a structured questionnaire and an evaluated for LTBI using the tuberculin skin test among 367 HCW, the LTBI prevalence was 35.7%. (64.5%), We found that the following factors associated with LTBI in HCW were in age group 30-40 years was 63% ,75.2% of the participants didn't do the skin test for TB, and the high risk among the  lab technician represented 41.2%. Our study recommended implementation of sound TB infection control measures in all health care facilities with patients suspected of having infectious.


2021 ◽  
Vol 09 (01) ◽  
pp. 18-30
Author(s):  
Chika A. Okoro ◽  
Eridiong O. Onyenweaku ◽  
Emecheta G. Okwudire ◽  
Muriel K. Kalu ◽  
Oluremilekun C. Kusimo ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
P. K. Kubai ◽  
M. P. Ndiba ◽  
L. K. Ikiara ◽  
C. K. Karani

Worldwide Corona virus outbreak has cause panic and enormous health and economic effects due to inadequate or lack of appropriate information about COVID -19. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the Level of knowledge and Preparedness to Corona Virus (COVID –19) Pandemic among Health Workers in Igembe South, Meru County, Kenya. Study Design: This was cross-sectional study was conducted to determine their Knowledge and Preparedness among HCWs on COVID-19 pandemic. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Igembe South Health Facilities between March and June 2020. Methodology: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in Igembe South Sub County of Meru County from March 2020 to June 2020 among 87 Health Care Workers to determine their Knowledge and Preparedness on COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected using structured Likert’s Scale questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was performed to obtain frequencies and distribution of the variables. Results: The results shows that eight seven (87) health care workers with mean age of 34± 9 (SD) years with a minimum age of 19 years and maximum age of 60 years were recruited responded to the questions of the study. Among the 87 participants, 51 (58.6%) had at least a bachelor's degree, 30 (34.5%) participants had a diploma and 6 (6.9%) participants had a certificate. About 32 (36.8%) of the participants were nurses. Other professional disciplines included nutritionists, records officers, supporting staff, social workers among others. Majority of the facilities acknowledged receiving Ministry of Health guidelines and protocols on COVID-19 case management. Regarding knowledge of COVID -19 Almost half (48.3%) of the participants somewhat agreed that health care workers had knowledge of Corona Virus Pandemic, however, most of the respondents (50.6%) strongly disagreed that they are equipped with adequate Knowledge to manage severe Corona Case compared to (8%) respondents who strongly agreed that Corona Virus Incubation period is an average of 7 days and maximum of 14 days. Conclusion: The study concludes that knowledge and preparedness level on COVID - 19 was above average, however, there is need for continuous professional development (CPD) training and support supervision for HCWs to ensure maintenance of appropriate practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study further concludes that those with knowledge and are conversant with their respective areas of practice are at less risk, considering that inadequate knowledge is not only a risk factor for poor delivery of WHO approved COVID -19 guidelines met to prevent the spread of COVID -19, but also increases the occupational risk to health care workers.


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