Risk Factors for Occupational Transmission of Tuberculosis among Healthcare Workers in Zambia

Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a critical role in the management and control of nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis (TB). At the same time, working in TB healthcare facilities such as hospital wards, diagnostic and treatment facilities increases the risk of acquiring TB due to occupational exposure in HCWs. The risk is further heightened in high TB prevalence populations, such as Zambia, as HCWs are exposed both occupationally and in the community. This review aims to provide a better understanding of the risk factors associated with occupational transmission of TB in HCWs in Zambia, by synthesising available data on TB in HCWs in Zambia and the surrounding region. A search of peer reviewed original research on the transmission of TB among HCWs in Zambiawas conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar. Studies were eligible for inclusion in the analysis if they described TB amongst HCWs in Zambia, risk factors for TB in HCWs, and nosocomial transmission of TB in Zambia and the surrounding region. The prevalence of TB in HCWs has been demonstrated to be higher than that of the general population. Transmission of TB in healthcare facilities is driven by several factors centred on the lack of adherence to TB infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Nosocomial transmission of TB in HCWs is further driven by the HIV epidemic and the rise in lifestyle diseases such as diabetes mellitus. However, there is very scarce data on the association of diabetes mellitus and TB among HCWs in Zambia. Prolonged contact with TB patients on wards has been demonstrated to play a vital role in occupational transmission of TB amongst nurses in Zambia. To curb the transmission of TB in HCWs several measures will require implementation such as; administrative support, IPC training and annual TB and HIV screening for all HCWs

Assessment of Occupational Health Safety and Hazard among Government Health Workers in Ondo City, Southwest Nigeria.

Aim: To assess the level of awareness of occupational health safety (OHS), to identify common occupational hazards and to determine the association between profession, year of experience and level of awareness of occupational health hazards among government Health Care Workers (HCWs) in Ondo city, Southwest Nigeria. Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out over a 6 week period between September to October 2015. Place and Duration of Study: The Two Government Hospitals in Ondo (University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital and State Specialist Hospital Ondo). Methodology: A Standard questionnaire that has both risk assessment and safety practices sections was administered to HCWs in the hospitals which were categorised into clinical and non-clinical professionals. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 17. Results: A total of 345 respondents participated in the study comprising of 136 (39.4%) males and 209 (60.4%) females. About 85% of the respondents were aware of OHS and undergraduate training was the major source of awareness in 177 (51.3%). The common hazards identified among the respondents were sharp related injuries in 280(75.4%), infections from patients in 244(70.7%), cuts and wounds in 207(60%), air borne disease in 207(60%) and stress in 268(77.7%), physical/verbal abuses in 184(53.3%). One hundred and thirty one (38%) respondents had high level of occupational risk while only 21(6.1%) had good level of safety measures. Non-clinical HCWs had significantly better safety practices (P <0 .001). Clinical HCWs were significantly more aware of OHS (P < 0.001). Also, HCWs with > 10 years of practice had better awareness of OHS (P =0 .01). Conclusion: Majority of the government HCWs in Ondo had high occupational hazard risk, poor compliance to occupational safety measures despite high awareness of OHS.