Rate of History of Tuberculosis Among Healthcare Workers in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES: Healthcare workers (HCWs) possess a high risk for both latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and active disease. This study aimed to investigate tuberculosis (TB) disease history in hospital staff working in healthcare institutions in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. 

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 460 HCWs employed in 5 hospitals in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. Between May 01 and July 31, 2016, the participants were asked to answer a questionnaire, including data about TB history. The data about family TB history, Bacilli Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccination, or tuberculin skin test (TST) application before starting work were also evaluated.

RESULTS: Of the 460 participants, 69.3% were women (n=319) and 30.7% (n=141) were men. The mean age was 32 (17–63) years. A total of 8 participants (1.7 %) had TB history. There was no statistically significant relationship between TB history and age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, or presence of comorbidities (p>0.05 for all variables); family history of TB (p<0.001) and TST positivity (p<0.001) were significantly higher in participants with a TB history. Each participant was checked for the presence of both BCG scar and TST positivity. No difference was noted between positive TB history and negative HCWs (p>0.05). The duration of work (years) was higher in participants with a TB history. The p value was very close but did not reach the limits of significance (p=0.059). 

CONCLUSION: In this study, the rate of TB among HCWs was 1.7% (8 of 460 HCWs). Family history of TB and TST positivity are strong predictors of TB in HCWs.

Cite this article as: Yılmaz Kara B, Özyurt S, Özçelik N, Karadoğan D, Şahin Ü. Rate of History of Tuberculosis Among Healthcare Workers in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study. Turk Thorac J 2021; 22(2): 118-23.