| Popis: |
Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand.To evaluate the occupational risk for tuberculous infection of health care workers (HCWs) and the utility of tuberculin skin test (TST) in a developing country setting.A cross-sectional TST survey, including a risk assessment questionnaire, of Chiang Rai Hospital HCWs.Of 911 HCWs tested, 623 (68%) had indurations ofor = 10 mm and 322 (35%) indurations ofor = 15 mm. Factors most predictive for TST positivity, using either cut-off, were employment1 year, frequent direct patient contact, and male sex. Moreover, having a bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scar was predictive of aor = 10 mm, but not aor = 15 mm, reaction.Chiang Rai Hospital HCWs had an increased risk for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, which was significantly associated with occupational exposure. Where BCG coverage is high, a TST cut-off ofor = 15 mm may correlate better with M. tuberculosis infection than does a cut-off ofor = 10 mm. Effective, affordable infection control measures are needed for health care facilities in developing countries such as Thailand, where HCWs may be at increased risk for M. tuberculosis infection from occupational exposures. |
