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BMC Infectious Diseases

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Perceived risk of tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in Swaziland

Authors: Yi-Hao Weng, Patience Thulile Bhembe, Hung-Yi Chiou, Chun-Yuh Yang, Ya-Wen Chiu

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the Kingdom of Swaziland is extremely high. How healthcare workers (HCWs) in Swaziland perceive infection control (IC) measures for preventing TB transmission is unclear. This study aimed to determine perceived risk of TB infection in relation to IC measures among HCWs in three institutions of Swaziland.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in 2014. Demographic data and IC measures were collected from main and allied HCWs.

Results

In total, 186 HCWs (19 doctors, 99 nurses, and 68 allied HCWs) were enrolled. The multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that nurses (OR = 39.87, 95% CI = 2.721–584.3) and other HCWs (OR =99.34, 95% CI = 7.469–1321) perceived a higher TB infection risk than did doctors. Moreover, HCWs working for <4 years at the TB department perceived a lower TB infection risk (OR = 0.099, 95% CI = 0.022–0.453). Availability of N95 respirator masks (OR = 0.055, 95% CI = 0.005–0.586) and a designated sputum collection area (OR = 0.142, 95% CI = 0.037–0.545) also carried lower TB infection risks.

Conclusion

This study depicts the current status of IC measures for TB infection in a high prevalence country. The results suggest that HCWs perceived a greater TB infection risk at inadequate environmental IC measures.

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Title: Perceived risk of tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in Swaziland
Authors: Yi-Hao Weng
Patience Thulile Bhembe
Hung-Yi Chiou
Chun-Yuh Yang
Ya-Wen Chiu
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-016-2029-6

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