[Assessment of the risk of tuberculosis among health care personnel in Meknes]

Abstract

Tuberculosis has long been a concern for those responsible for the health of hospital personnel. Several studies of healthcare professionals who work in Morocco with patients with tuberculosis have shown annual incidence rates approximately ten times higher than those for the general population. This survey of the risk of tuberculosis among healthcare personnel (109 subjects with high and 118 with intermediate exposure to tuberculosis) and a control population (124 teachers) showed a positive correlation between the diameter of the tuberculin induration and intensity of exposure (significant difference between the highly exposed versus those with intermediate or no exposure). The risk of occupational tuberculosis was greater among the highly exposed healthcare workers. The involvement of occupational medicine units in health training in national public health programs and especially in programs combating tuberculosis must be a high-priority activity, because studies show that tuberculin conversion rates diminish significantly when programs of tuberculosis sensitization (information, education and communication), prevention (vaccination), and control (screening and treatment) are widely available to healthcare professionals, even those who have direct and constant with patients with tuberculosis.