Latent tuberculosis prevalence in healthcare workers in Laos: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) have a high risk of active infection, morbidity and mortality. Healthcare workers are a group who have increased risk of infection and onward transmission to their patients and other susceptible individuals; however, LTBI is o...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | Tropical Medicine and Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-024-00677-2 |
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| author | Sypaseuth Duangmixay Siriphone Virachith Judith M. Hübschen Phitsada Siphanthong Sakhone Suthepmany Somphou Sayasone Antony P. Black |
| author_facet | Sypaseuth Duangmixay Siriphone Virachith Judith M. Hübschen Phitsada Siphanthong Sakhone Suthepmany Somphou Sayasone Antony P. Black |
| author_sort | Sypaseuth Duangmixay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) have a high risk of active infection, morbidity and mortality. Healthcare workers are a group who have increased risk of infection and onward transmission to their patients and other susceptible individuals; however, LTBI is often undiagnosed, and individuals are asymptomatic. Interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) can detect evidence of TB infection in otherwise asymptomatic individuals and are a good indication of LTBI. Laos, a resource limited country in southeast Asia, has limited data on TB prevalence in the general population or in healthcare workers. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LTBI in Lao healthcare workers in Vientiane Capital. Methods Healthcare workers from high-risk departments from 3 central hospitals in Laos were included (n = 196) and venous blood was tested by IGRA. A questionnaire was administered to determine their knowledge, attitude and practice towards TB and LTBI. Results 10.2% of the participants were positive by IGRA, none of whom were previously aware of their TB status. The questionnaire revealed that knowledge and awareness of TB and LTBI were low. Discussion A significant proportion of healthcare workers in this study had evidence of LTBI infection. These individuals were unaware of their TB status and we suggest that testing and treatment, as well as prevention strategies, should be routinely administered in Lao hospitals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-997a7e9f1cfe4ea7a4e5d369d3ba4be7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1349-4147 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Tropical Medicine and Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-997a7e9f1cfe4ea7a4e5d369d3ba4be72025-01-05T12:46:40ZengBMCTropical Medicine and Health1349-41472025-01-015311410.1186/s41182-024-00677-2Latent tuberculosis prevalence in healthcare workers in Laos: a cross-sectional studySypaseuth Duangmixay0Siriphone Virachith1Judith M. Hübschen2Phitsada Siphanthong3Sakhone Suthepmany4Somphou Sayasone5Antony P. Black6Lao Tropical Public Health InstituteLaoLuxLab/Vaccine Preventable Diseases Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du LaosLuxembourg Institute of HealthNational Tuberculosis Control CentreNational Tuberculosis Control CentreLao Tropical Public Health InstituteLaoLuxLab/Vaccine Preventable Diseases Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du LaosAbstract Background Individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) have a high risk of active infection, morbidity and mortality. Healthcare workers are a group who have increased risk of infection and onward transmission to their patients and other susceptible individuals; however, LTBI is often undiagnosed, and individuals are asymptomatic. Interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) can detect evidence of TB infection in otherwise asymptomatic individuals and are a good indication of LTBI. Laos, a resource limited country in southeast Asia, has limited data on TB prevalence in the general population or in healthcare workers. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LTBI in Lao healthcare workers in Vientiane Capital. Methods Healthcare workers from high-risk departments from 3 central hospitals in Laos were included (n = 196) and venous blood was tested by IGRA. A questionnaire was administered to determine their knowledge, attitude and practice towards TB and LTBI. Results 10.2% of the participants were positive by IGRA, none of whom were previously aware of their TB status. The questionnaire revealed that knowledge and awareness of TB and LTBI were low. Discussion A significant proportion of healthcare workers in this study had evidence of LTBI infection. These individuals were unaware of their TB status and we suggest that testing and treatment, as well as prevention strategies, should be routinely administered in Lao hospitals.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-024-00677-2Latent tuberculosisHealthcare workersLao People’s Democratic Republic |
| spellingShingle | Sypaseuth Duangmixay Siriphone Virachith Judith M. Hübschen Phitsada Siphanthong Sakhone Suthepmany Somphou Sayasone Antony P. Black Latent tuberculosis prevalence in healthcare workers in Laos: a cross-sectional study Tropical Medicine and Health Latent tuberculosis Healthcare workers Lao People’s Democratic Republic |
| title | Latent tuberculosis prevalence in healthcare workers in Laos: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Latent tuberculosis prevalence in healthcare workers in Laos: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Latent tuberculosis prevalence in healthcare workers in Laos: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Latent tuberculosis prevalence in healthcare workers in Laos: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Latent tuberculosis prevalence in healthcare workers in Laos: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | latent tuberculosis prevalence in healthcare workers in laos a cross sectional study |
| topic | Latent tuberculosis Healthcare workers Lao People’s Democratic Republic |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-024-00677-2 |
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