The Prevalence and Factor Associated of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Personnel in Health Region 4, 2021

Abstract

The aims of this descriptive study were to describe the prevalence and factors associated with latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare personnel in health region 4 in the fiscal year 2021. The data were collected by reviewing the information of health personnel, who were working in hospitals at health region 4 under the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, fiscal year 2021 (October 2020-September 2021). A total of 799 healthcare personnel were screened for latent tuberculosis by Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs). The data record form was developed by the researcher. There was the project for active case finding for tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis control, health region 4. Descriptive statistics such as percentages were used for data analysis. Factors associated with infected tuberculosis were determined by chi-square. The results showed that 191of 799 health workers infected with tuberculosis (prevalence 23.9%), 24.2 percent were female, 27.8 % were aged 51-60 years, 26.7% were nurses, 30.9 % have worked more than 20 years, 27.0 % worked in a central hospital or general hospital, and 27.4 % worked in an emergency room. In addition, comparing the data between the infection and non-infection groups found that the age of work and the type of hospital were significantly associated with latent tuberculosis infection among health personnel (p-value < 0.05). Hence, for preventing and controlling tuberculosis, periodically and continually knowledge refreshing about tuberculosis should be provided for healthcare workers at least once a year, especially, self-care by using appropriate personal protective equipment was recommended.