評估結核病接觸者在不同接觸情境的潛在感染風險
Journal
台灣公共衛生雜誌
Journal Volume
36
Journal Issue
2
Pages
107-121
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Abstract
Objectives: The risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection within different case-contact contexts is unknown. This study aimed to assess the role of different social contacts in the risk of latent TB infection (LTBI). Methods: We analyzed the records of the TB contact investigation conducted by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) between 2010 and 2012, including 3297 contacts. Among the 3297 contacts, 831 were infected. We propose two TB risk indices: the probability of getting infected; and contact efficiency for investigating the risk factors in terms of different social contacts and demographics using multivariate regression analysis. Results: After adjusting the smear-positivity and age of contacts, we identified statistically significant social-demographic characteristics of an index case who had a higher probability of spreading TB to contacts. These social-demographic characteristics included aboriginal race, residence in non-urban areas, lowlevel education, and low degree of contact. Among 831 infected contacts, we also identified the types of social contacts with high-contact efficiency for TB infection, including the relationships of relatives among young people 0-14 years of age, the relationship with neighbors > 55 years of age in the non-urban areas, and interactions with home care providers. Conclusions: By analyzing case-contact contexts, we conclude that social-demographic characteristics of an index case can be used to assess the probability of TB spread. Furthermore, contact efficiency differs from case-contact contexts and implies that profiling significant types of social contacts could be beneficial to identify high-risk contacts in a TB contact investigation.
SDGs
Type
journal article