Tuberculosis Prevalence, Incidence And Related Risk Factors Among Health Care Workers In Health Care Facilities

ObjectivesThe study is to understand the current situation of tuberculosis (TB) prevalence among HCWs from the selected health care facilities and the related risk factors, and get the TB incidence as well, in order to provide references for TB infection control strategy development.MethodsAn infectious disease hospital and a general hospital of Inner Mongolia were selected as the study sites. The baseline survey was conducted from April 1,2010 to August 31,2010. Questionnaire interviews, chest X-rays and sputum examinations were carried out, and the TB prevalence of the HCWs were obtained. From November 1,2014 to December 31,2014, we got the TB incidence of the HCWs with QFT-GIT result in baseline survey in four years through questionnaire and sputum examination. EpiData3.1 software and SPSS17.0 statistical software were used to input and analyze data. Statistical indexes, such as proportion, mean value and median were used to describe HCWs’basic information. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the risk factors of TB prevalence.ResultsA total of 886 HCWs completed questionnaire and took chest X-ray. The proportion of women (74.3%) was higher than men (25.7%), their age median was 41 years old and the proportion of attending high school or technical secondary school education was 38.7%. The prevalence rate of HCWs’with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) was 31.60%o, and that of HCWs in infectious disease hospital (70.1%o) was significantly higher than general hospital (3.9%o) (χ2=30.88, P<0.001). In multivariable analysis, risk factors of HCWs’TB prevalence were working in the infectious disease hospital (OR=27.39,95% CI (6.11-12.27)) and having PTB before the survey (OR=18.19,95% CI (6.59～50.17)). The incidence rate of TB among HCWs in infectious disease hospital was 94.7/100000 person year. The incidence rate of TB among HCWs not infected Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the baseline survey in four years was 285.9/100000 for infectious disease hospital.Conclusions1. The TB prevalence rate of HCWs is higher than general population, and HCWs are high risk group of TB disease.2. The risk factors of TB prevalence of HCWs are workplace and PTB history.3. TB incidence rate of HCWs not infected Mycobacterium tuberculosis in four years in infectious disease hospital is higher than general population and local level, and HCWs are high risk group of TB incidence.In summary, we should strengthen TB infection control in health care facilities, especially in infectious disease hospital from managerial activities, administrative control, environmental control and personnel protection.