SETTING: The main university hospital in Iasi, Romania. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether health care workers (HCWs) have a higher risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) than the general population, and if TB incidence varies between departments, to develop adequate infection control measures. DESIGN: All records of TB cases among HCWs were reviewed by cross-checking laboratory and medical records (retrospectively, 1971--1996; prospectively 1997--2003, following the implementation of the first World Health Organization pilot project in Romania). Annual TB incidence rates among HCWs were calculated and compared with those of the general population; relative and attributable risk with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty TB cases were diagnosed in HCWs; 42% were nurses, 24% ancillary staff, 12% physicians, 10% laboratory staff, 10% administrative staff and 2% radiology technicians. The mean incidence of TB in Romania during the study period was 96.8 per 100,000 persons/year (95%CI 83.5-110.1); the mean incidence among HCWs was 942.8/100,000 persons/year (95%CI 726.3-1159.3, P < 0.001); comparing the two previous absolute risks, the mean relative risk was 11 (95%CI 8-14) and the attributable risk 846. CONCLUSION: TB is a major occupational hazard in Iasi, Romania, where a great potential exists for further development of an effective infection control plan.

High risk of tuberculosis in health care workers in Romania.

SPANEVELLO, ANTONIO;
2008-01-01

Abstract

SETTING: The main university hospital in Iasi, Romania. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether health care workers (HCWs) have a higher risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) than the general population, and if TB incidence varies between departments, to develop adequate infection control measures. DESIGN: All records of TB cases among HCWs were reviewed by cross-checking laboratory and medical records (retrospectively, 1971--1996; prospectively 1997--2003, following the implementation of the first World Health Organization pilot project in Romania). Annual TB incidence rates among HCWs were calculated and compared with those of the general population; relative and attributable risk with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty TB cases were diagnosed in HCWs; 42% were nurses, 24% ancillary staff, 12% physicians, 10% laboratory staff, 10% administrative staff and 2% radiology technicians. The mean incidence of TB in Romania during the study period was 96.8 per 100,000 persons/year (95%CI 83.5-110.1); the mean incidence among HCWs was 942.8/100,000 persons/year (95%CI 726.3-1159.3, P < 0.001); comparing the two previous absolute risks, the mean relative risk was 11 (95%CI 8-14) and the attributable risk 846. CONCLUSION: TB is a major occupational hazard in Iasi, Romania, where a great potential exists for further development of an effective infection control plan.
2008
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuatld/ijtld/2008/00000012/00000006/art00006?token=00511b14f39394d4d8e7e41225f4038382c4967524877345f2c50576b3427656c3c6a333f256653a6
tuberculosis, health care workers, Romania, incidence, infection control INFECTION, SETTINGS, TURKEY
Sotgiu, G; Arbore, As; Cojocariu, V; Piana, A; Ferrara, G; Cirillo, Dm; Matteelli, A; Castiglia, P; Ditiu, L; Spanevello, Antonio; Zellweger, Jp; Miha...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11383/9023
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