Factors associated with tuberculin reactivity in two general hospitals in Mexico.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors associated with tuberculin reactivity in healthcare workers (HCWs).


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of tuberculin reactivity (2 TU of purified protein derivative (PPD) RT23, using the Mantoux two-step test).


METHODS
Two general hospitals located in a region with a high prevalence of tuberculosis and high bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) coverage.


METHODS
Volunteer sample of HCWs.


RESULTS
605 HCWs were recruited: 71.2% female; mean age, 36.4 (standard deviation [SD], 8.2) years; 48.9% nurses, 10.4% physicians, 26.8% administrative personnel; mean time of employment, 10.9 (SD, 6.7) years. PPD reactivity (> or =10 mm) was found in 390 (64.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed an association of tuberculin reactivity with occupational exposure in the hospital: participation in autopsies (odds ratio [OR], 9.3; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 2.1-40.5; P=.003.), more than 1 year of employment (OR, 2.4; CI95, 1.1-5.0; P=.02), work in the emergency or radiology departments (OR, 2.0; CI95, 1.03-3.81; P=.04), being physicians or nurses (OR, 1.5; CI95, 1.04-2.11; P=.03), age (OR, 1.04; CI95, 1.02-1.07 per year of age; P<.001), and BCG scar (OR, 2.1; CI95, 1.2-3.4; P=.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the studied population has a high baseline prevalence of tuberculosis infection and high coverage of BCG vaccination, nosocomial risk factors associated with PPD reactivity were identified as professional risks; strict early preventive measures must be implemented accordingly.
Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, México.
M L
ML
García-García
A
A
Jiménez-Corona
M E
ME
Jiménez-Corona
L
L
Ferreyra-Reyes
K
K
Martínez
B
B
Rivera-Chavira
M E
ME
Martínez-Tapia
E
E
Valenzuela-Miramontes
M
M
Palacios-Martínez
L
L
Juárez-Sandino
J L
JL
Valdespino-Gómez
D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014505:Urban Population; D000078329:Workforce