An Epidemiological Study of Tuberculosis among Health Care Workers in Taiwan
Resource
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES v.12 SUPPL. 1 pp.E343-E 344
Journal
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Pages
e343-e344
Date Issued
2008
Date
2008
Author(s)
Chang, Y.M.
Chang, S.C.
Liu, M.L.
Hu, Y.J.
Chiu, C.H.
Yang, S.Y.
Chao, Y.N.
Abstract
Background: The health care workers (HCW) are full of hazards for tuberculosis exposure and infection when they care for patients. In Taiwan, an area with moderate incidence of tuberculosis, HCW are at increased risk for tuberculosis. The study examined data for evaluation of epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis between HCW in Taiwan. Methods: From the computerized registry of Taiwan-CDC, confirmed tuberculosis patients who were HCW from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2006 were enrolled. The χ2 test and χ2 test for trend in proportion were used. Results: A total of 564 subjects (109 males and 455 females) were enrolled, with the annual incidence increasing from 63 in 2002 to 149 in 2006, with 73% of the individuals less than 40 years of age. By geographic distribution, there was the largest number of cases in Taipei City. Of the 564 subjects, 204 were open tuberculosis cases. The average accomplished rates of chest radiography, and sputum smear and culture were 90.4%, 88.1% and 71.1%, respectively. The majority of these individuals were nurses or physicians. Departmental distribution varied widely, with many cases hired in the general wards. The incidence rates of tuberculosis in nurses and physicians were 80.7 and 86.0 per 100,000 in the Taipei region. Conclusion: Tuberculosis occurs in HCW, which is obviously younger, compared to the general population. This might be due to the juniority of first-line HCW. The male-to-female ratio for tuberculosis cases in the general Taiwan population is 2:1, which differs significantly from the corresponding gender distribution for HCW in this study. This probably is due to the fact that most of the HCW providing first-line primary care in Taiwan are female nurses. The incidence of tuberculosis between HCW is higher compared to the general population. Prevention of tuberculosis infection in these professionals remains an important issue in Taiwan.
SDGs
Type
journal article