Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most serious public health problems worldwide. | Image: Shutter Stock
Underscoring critical occupational hazards in the healthcare sector, a new study has found that tuberculosis cases are much more prevalent among healthcare workers in India compared to the general population.
The analysis of 10 separate studies conducted over the past two decades between 2004 and 2023 found an average prevalence of 2,391.6 cases per 100,000 healthcare workers in India, much higher than the rate of 300 cases per 100,000 population.
The study, titled “Prevalence of tuberculosis among healthcare workers in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis”, is a collaborative effort of Dr Ravindra Nath of Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, along with Dr Jugal Kishore, Dr Pranav Ish, Dr Aninda Debnath and Dr Nitin Panwar of VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, and Dr Anirban Bhaumik of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Delhi.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most critical public health problems globally, particularly in countries with high endemic rates such as India, which alone accounts for about a quarter of the global TB burden, the study notes.
This infectious disease, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is predominantly spread through airborne particles, making it a significant occupational hazard, especially in healthcare settings.
The incidence of tuberculosis among health workers is alarmingly high, reflecting broader systemic vulnerabilities within health care infrastructures.
The frequency of exposure to the pathogen is often exacerbated by the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB strains. These strains not only complicate treatment but also highlight the critical need for strict infection control measures in healthcare facilities.
Studies have indicated that tuberculosis incidence rates in healthcare workers are three times higher than those seen in the general population.
Despite recognized risks, comprehensive epidemiological data on TB among healthcare workers in India are scarce and often inconsistent, noted Dr. Jugal Kishore, head and professor of the Department of Community Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital.
The analysis, which reviewed ten studies conducted between 2004 and 2023, identified particularly high tuberculosis prevalence rates among laboratory technicians (6,468.31 cases per 100,000), physicians (2,006.18 per 100,000) and nurses (2,726.83 per 100,000).
These data indicate significant occupational hazards that are often overlooked in the healthcare sector, Dr. Kishore said.
The results of the study highlighted several factors contributing to high rates of TB among healthcare workers, including inadequate ventilation and poor underlying air circulation in healthcare facilities, which significantly increases the risk of airborne transmission of TB.
Furthermore, despite the high risks, many health care workers do not consistently use PPE, such as N95 masks, particularly in high-exposure areas, the study noted.
Healthcare professionals frequently encounter patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB, further complicating their occupational risks.
In light of these findings, the authors strongly recommend taking immediate steps to protect healthcare workers, including ensuring consistent use of PPE and other infection control measures in all healthcare settings.
They also emphasized systematic TB screening for all healthcare workers, especially those in high-risk roles, to facilitate early intervention and reduce transmission, in addition to conducting ongoing training programs to raise awareness about the risks of TB and the importance of preventive practices.
They also called for investment in better ventilation systems and dedicated isolation rooms to reduce the spread of TB in health care settings and providing access to adequate nutrition, mental health services and support to manage work-related stress, which is crucial to reducing vulnerability to TB.
The authors have advocated for the development and implementation of national guidelines for routine tuberculosis screening and surveillance among health care workers.
These guidelines should focus on high-risk groups, such as doctors in training and those working in high-exposure departments. In addition, there is an urgent need for mandatory infection control training programmes and investments in healthcare infrastructure to create safer working environments.
“As India strives to eliminate TB by 2025, this study serves as a stark reminder that protecting our healthcare workers is essential to achieving this goal. The findings not only highlight the occupational risks faced by healthcare workers, but also call for a collective effort to ‘save the saviors’ who dedicate their lives to caring for others,” said Dr Kishore.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First published: September 7, 2024 | 16:12 IS
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