Work-Related Tuberculosis Among Health Workers in Tertiary Hospital in Thailand
Keywords:
TB, Tuberculosis, work-related tuberculosis, health workersAbstract
This descriptive study aimed to describe epidemiological characteristics of work-related tuberculosis among health workers in a tertiary hospital in northeastern Thailand during 2021-2023. Data were collected from health workers diagnosed with tuberculosis through a review of medical records from The Occupational Medicine Department of a hospital from January 1st, 2021, to December 31st , 2023, totaling 24 cases. The study analyzed the personal characteristics, the characteristics of tuberculosis infection and the characteristics of health workers who diagnosed as work-related tuberculosis. Descriptive statistics were used and presented as frequency and percentage.
Results: Among 24 health workers with tuberculosis, the majority was female (75.0%), had no underlying diseases, were non-smokers, mean age 34.6 ± 9.7 years old. Most were diagnosed with tuberculosis without symptoms, including annual health check-ups and pre-placement examinations (abnormal chest X-ray with negative sputum AFB). Pulmonary tuberculosis was the most common. It found that eighteen of them were diagnosable as work-related tuberculosis (75.0%). The tuberculosis exposure from work was due to performing aerosol-generating procedures combined with using inappropriate personal protective equipment. It was found that most of there were nurses. The internal medicine ward had the highest number. Most had more than 8 hours working time per day in contact with tuberculosis patients and had less than 5 years of work experience
Conclusions: 18 among 24 health workers with tuberculosis in a hospital in Northeastern Thailand during 2021-2023 were diagnosable as work-related (75.0%). Most of them had no symptoms. The most common exposure was during procedures that generate aerosols, combined with the use of inappropriate personal protective equipment. Therefore, when performing aerosol-generating procedures on tuberculosis patients, it is necessary to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and seal check of the mask every time before starting work, especially for nurses and staffs in internal medicine wards. Annual health check-ups, including chest X-rays, should also be provided.
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