Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in primary health care professionals

The scope of this study is to analyze the occurrence and factors associated with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among health professionals in primary health care. It involved an analytical cross-sectional study, with a random sample of 280 participants. Two instruments were applied, the first to determine the exclusion criteria and the second, specific to LTBI and previously validated. The tuberculin skin test was then performed. The data was analyzed using version 22 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. After checking the assumption of normality, descriptive and inferential statistics were used to determine the frequency of LTBI and associated factors. The crude prevalence ratio was applied, with the respective confidence intervals. Poisson regression was subsequently performed to estimate the adjusted prevalence ratio for each variable significant at 5%. The estimated prevalence of LTBI was 21.8%. Smoking, being in contact with hospitalized patients, inadequate attendance and non-use of personal protective equipment showed a statistically significant association with the prevalence of positive tuberculin skin test results.

Key words:
Health personnel; Latent tuberculosis; Primary Health Care