Is the risk of occupational tuberculosis higher for young health care workers?
METHODS
Health care workers in Finland.


OBJECTIVE
Occupational tuberculosis (TB) was studied separately in nurses, assistant nurses, physicians, psychiatric nurses, medical laboratory workers and radiographers during the period 1971-1995.


METHODS
All 447 notified cases between 20 and 59 years of age were included. Incidence ratios by age and occupation were compared to the corresponding general population.


RESULTS
A common profile, with a higher rate of TB towards older age, was seen in the general population but not among health care workers. Among nurses, assistant nurses and physicians, the incidence ratio was higher among those aged 20-39 than among those aged 40-59 years. Compared to the controls, the risk of TB was significantly smaller in the older group of nurses during 1971-1990 and in assistant nurses during 1971-1995. The risk among the older group of physicians was significantly lower during 1971-1980, and among the younger group it was significantly higher during 1976-1990.


CONCLUSIONS
We speculate that in certain fields of health care, young workers are at the greatest risk of TB.
Raitio
M
M
Department of Chest Diseases, Turku University Central Hospital, University of Turku, Finland. Matti.Raitio@tyks.fi
Helenius
H
H
Tala
E
E
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D016390:Allied Health Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology*