title: Determinants of tuberculosis infection control-related behaviors among healthcare workers in the country of Georgia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To better understand tuberculosis (TB) infection control (IC) in healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Georgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional evaluation of healthcare worker (HCW) knowledge, beliefs and behaviors toward TB IC measures including latent TB infection (LTBI) screening and treatment of HCWs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Georgia, a high-burden multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) country.
  
  
  METHODS
  HCWs from the National TB Program and affiliated HCFs.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous self-administered 55-question survey developed based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) conceptual framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 240 HCWs (48% physicians; 39% nurses) completed the survey. The overall average TB knowledge score was 61%. Only 60% of HCWs reported frequent use of respirators when in contact with TB patients. Only 52% of HCWs were willing to undergo annual LTBI screening; 48% were willing to undergo LTBI treatment. In multivariate analysis, HCWs who worried about acquiring MDR-TB infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-2.25), who thought screening contacts of TB cases is important (aOR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.35-8.65), and who were physicians (aOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.08-2.60) were more likely to accept annual LTBI screening. With regard to LTBI treatment, HCWs who worked in an outpatient TB facility (aOR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.11-0.58) or perceived a high personal risk of TB reinfection (aOR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.37-0.64) were less likely to accept LTBI treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The concern about TB reinfection is a major barrier to HCW acceptance of LTBI treatment. TB IC measures must be strengthened in parallel with or prior to the introduction of LTBI screening and treatment of HCWs.
authors: 1National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases,Tbilisi,Georgia.
authors: Veriko
authors: V
authors: Mirtskhulava
authors: 2Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases,Mayo Clinic,Rochester,Minnesota,USA.
authors: Jennifer A
authors: JA
authors: Whitaker
authors: 1National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases,Tbilisi,Georgia.
authors: Maia
authors: M
authors: Kipiani
authors: 3Department of Pulmonary,Critical Care and Sleep Medicine,Yale University New Haven,Connecticut,USA.
authors: Drew A
authors: DA
authors: Harris
authors: 4"AIETI" Medical School,David Tvildiani Medical University,Tbilisi,Georgia.
authors: Nino
authors: N
authors: Tabagari
authors: 5Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education,Rollins School of Public Health,Emory University,Atlanta,Georgia,USA.
authors: Ashli A
authors: AA
authors: Owen-Smith
authors: 6Division of Infectious Diseases,Department of Medicine,School of Medicine,Emory University,Atlanta,Georgia,USA.
authors: Russell R
authors: RR
authors: Kempker
authors: 6Division of Infectious Diseases,Department of Medicine,School of Medicine,Emory University,Atlanta,Georgia,USA.
authors: Henry M
authors: HM
authors: Blumberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000517:prevention & control; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000517:prevention & control*
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