Incidence of tuberculosis among canning workers in the Boland, 1987.
Tuberculosis remains a serious public health problem in South Africa. Current control policy in industry relies on passive case-finding and regards industrial workers as at low risk. Analysis of tuberculosis among a canning factory population in the Boland demonstrated high rates of pulmonary tuberculosis, comparable to the high rates in the community, and an absence of the 'healthy worker effect'. Black men were at particular risk. An argument is made for a review of current practices in tuberculosis control based on a sound knowledge of risk profiles for particular industries.
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Food Workers Medical Benefit Fund, Woodstock, Cape Town.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology*