Assessment of Exposure Risk to Tuberculosis and Associated Risk factors among Health Facility Workers in Addis Ababa;Ethiopia.
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Date
2021-03
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the air born infectious disease that can easily be transmitted
through inhalation of droplet nuclei contaminated with the disease-causing bacilli, Mycobacterium
tuberculosis (MTB). Due ti their occupations healthcare providers working in close care of Tb patients are
assumed to be at a relatively increased risk of acquiring the infection.
Objective:to assess the level of latent TB infection (LTBI) as a proxy for assessment of exposure risk to
TB and associated risk factors among healthcare workers in selected health facilities in Addis Ababa.
Results: An increased magnitude of LTBI was observed among the comparators 49.6% (67/135)and
healthcare workers 47.64% (111/233). Laboratory personnel were significantly more exposed to LTBI
than pharmacists with (OR =6.44, P-value =0.01). Secretaries have also found to have a higher odd of
being positive for latent TB infection compared to IT personnel (OR=4.64, 95% CI = 0.86, 31.34, Pvalue=
0.0412). The total negative attitude to TB prevention score was 1.36% (5/368) and this score was
zero among health care workers. There was no similar infrastructural set up among health facilities as
waiting areas for 32% (8/25) of the sections were not well ventilated and 36% (9/25)sections were found
to be with crowded hallways.
Conclusion: Although working in TB units heightens the level of direct exposure to the bacilli and
further acquisition of LTBI, our data suggests that the risk of acquiring TB is not limited to health care
providing facilities, but rather mirrors the situation in the community.
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Keywords
Latent TB Infection. Mycobacteriumtuberculosis, health care workers, Tuberculosis