Latent tuberculous infection in health personnel of the Americas

Abstract

Introduction. According to the World Health Organization, a third of the world’s population has latent tuberculosis, considering health personnel as a risk group, with a higher prevalence rate.

Objective. A bibliographic review of the existing evidence on the epidemiological situation of latent tuberculosis infection in health workers in the Americas was carried out.

Methods. This study includes a systematic review of cross-sectional, meta-analysis and cohort studies, published in the last 10 years. The studies that met the inclusion and quality criteria were selected.

Results. Fifteen of the 288 studies found in eight countries in the Americas were selected, with prevalence ranging from 15% to 62.1%. The prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in nine studies is higher than the prevalence in the global population, in four it is similar and one is lower.

Conclusion. The prevalence of tuberculosis remains higher in health workers than in the general population. This mostly affects women between the ages of 35 and 43 who have worked for more than 10 years in prisons or primary care centers.