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Tuberculosis among Health Care Workers
Iacopo Baussano, Paul Nunn, Brian Williams and 3 more (opens in a new tab)
Emerging Infectious Diseases · 2011 · Meta-analysis
doi:10.3201/eid1703.100947 (opens in a new tab)
Abstract
To assess the annual risk for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among health care workers (HCWs), the incidence rate ratio for tuberculosis (TB) among HCWs worldwide, and the population-attributable fraction of TB to exposure of HCWs in their work settings, we reviewed the literature. Stratified pooled estimates for the LTBI rate for countries with low ( 100/100,000 population) TB incidence were 3.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0%-4.6%), 6.9% (95% CI 3.4%-10.3%), and 8.4% (95% CI 2.7%-14.0%), respectively. For TB, estimated incident rate ratios were 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-3.6), 2.4 (95% CI 1.0-3.8), and 3.7 (95% CI 2.9-4.5), respectively. Median estimated population-attributable fraction for TB was as high as 0.4%. HCWs are at higher than average risk for TB. Sound TB infection control measures should be implemented in all health care facilities with patients suspected of having infectious TB.
Full text
From PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, as current on Oct 19, 2026. Paragraph numbers are ours, so an answer can point at one.
MEDSCAPE CME
Medscape, LLC is pleased to provide online continuing medical education (CME) for this journal article, allowing clinicians the opportunity to earn CME credit.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of Medscape, LLC and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Medscape, LLC is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Medscape, LLC designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
All other clinicians completing this activity will be issued a certificate of participation. To participate in this journal CME activity: (1) review the learning objectives and author disclosures; (2) study the education content; (3) take the post-test and/or complete the evaluation at www.medscape.org/journal/eid; (4) view/print certificate.
Release date: February 23, 2011; Expiration date: February 23, 2012
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
Describe the risk for health care workers (HCWs) of developing incident latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI)
Describe the risk for HCWs of developing tuberculosis (TB) disease
Describe TB infection control measures that may be effective in healthcare settings
MEDSCAPE CME Editor
Karen L. Foster, MA, Technical Writer-Editor, Emerging Infectious Diseases. Karen L. Foster, MA, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
MEDSCAPE CME AUTHOR
Laurie Barclay, MD, freelance writer and reviewer, Medscape, LLC. Disclosure: Laurie Barclay, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
AUTHORS
Disclosures: Iacopo Baussano, MD, MSc, PhD, SpID; Brian Williams, PhD; Emanuele Pivetta, MD; Massimiliano Bugiani, MD; and Fabio Scano, MD, have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Paul Nunn, MA, FRCP(UK), has disclosed the following relevant financial relationship: served as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for Howard Hughes Foundation.
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- Tuberculosis infection control practices and associated factors among healthcare workers in hospitals of Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia, institution-based cross-sectional study. · 2020Not checked
- Tuberculosis infection control practices in a high-burden metro in South Africa: A perpetual bane for efficient primary health care service delivery · 2018Not checked
- Latent Tuberculosis in Health Care Workers Exposed to Active Tuberculosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Oman · 2016Not checked
- Serial IGRA testing of trainees in the healthcare sector in a country with low incidence for tuberculosis – a prospective cohort study · 2013Not checked
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