Latent Infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health Workers in Bahia, Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34019/1809-8363.2024.v27.42398Keywords:
Health Personnel, Latent Tuberculosis, Tuberculin Test, TuberculosisAbstract
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of tuberculin test (TT) positivity in screening for Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) and to identify associated factors in Primary Health Care (PHC) and medium complexity workers in the second largest municipality in the State of Bahia, Brazil. Methods: Epidemiological survey with 370 workers on sociodemographic and occupational data, tobacco and alcohol use and variables related to Tuberculosis (TB), during April 2021 and March 2022. TT was applied intradermally, with reading after 72 hours. Results: The prevalence of positive TT was 41.3% and 17.6% for TT ≥ 5mm and TT ≥ 10mm, respectively. For TT ≥ 5mm, the associated variables were: presence of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine scar and previous contact with TB patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of TST positivity was high among study participants. Environmental, collective and individual protection measures are necessary to reduce the risk of LTBI.