Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) among Health Care Workers at Al-Thawrah Modern General Hospital, Sana’a-Yemen 2016

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in Al- Thawra Modern General Hospital. Methods: We carried out cross sectional study to determine the prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) among HCW. Two-steps Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) was performed among health care workers (HCWs) in Al -Thawra Modern General Hospital (TMGH) Sana'a- Yemen during the year 2016. We included all health care workers in the hospital. Out of 466 total HCWs 426 were fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Questionnaire was distributed to HCWs and information related to demographic data, profession, and duration of work, individual and in the family history of Tuberculosis (TB) was recorded. TST was done by a single investigator using the standard Mantoux test. The reaction was read 48 to 72 hours after injection, and the widest axis of indurations was measured by a standardized palpation method. Those with negative result were advised to come, after1- 2 weeks for second step TST. Results: The total number of health workers in the hospital were 466, Eligible cases who fulfilled the including criteria were 426. The remaining either excluded or not present at the time of study. Of them 232 (54.5%) were males and 194 (45.5 %), were females with a ratio of 1.2:1.269 (70%) were positive for TST. The positive result was highest among radiology assistant and laboratory worker represented 91%, 80% respectively, while 76% of doctors found positive for TST. There was an increase in TST reactivity with an older age, and there is a positive correlation between work duration and TST reaction. Conclusion: Latent tuberculosis infection is prominent among HCW who work in high-risk departments. This suggests that some TBI develops via in-hospital infection