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Occupational Tuberculosis Among Laboratory Workers in South Africa: Applying a Surveillance System to Strengthen Prevention and Control

Author

Listed:
  • Jennica Garnett

    (School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • David Jones

    (Safety, Health, Environment Department, National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), a division of National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Graham Chin

    (Safety, Health, Environment Department, National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), a division of National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Jerry M. Spiegel

    (School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Annalee Yassi

    (School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Nisha Naicker

    (Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), a division of National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
    School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
    Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is recognized as an important health risk for health workers, however, the absence of occupational health surveillance has created knowledge gaps regarding occupational infection rates and contributing factors. This study aimed to determine the rates and contributing factors of active TB cases in laboratory healthcare employees at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) in South Africa, as identified from an occupational surveillance system. Methods: TB cases were reported on the Occupational Health and Safety Information System (OHASIS), which recorded data on occupation type and activities and factors leading to confirmed TB. Data collected from 2012 to 2019 were used to calculate and compare TB risks within NHLS occupational groups. Results: During the study period, there were 92 cases of TB identified in the OHASIS database. General workers, rather than skilled and unskilled laboratory workers and medical staff, had the highest incidence rate (422 per 100,000 person-years). OHASIS data revealed subgroups that seemed to be well protected, while pointing to exposure situations that beckoned policy development, as well as identified subgroups of workers for whom better training is warranted. Conclusions: Functional occupational health surveillance systems can identify subgroups most at risk as well as areas of programme success and areas where increased support is needed, helping to target and monitor policy and procedure modification and training needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennica Garnett & David Jones & Graham Chin & Jerry M. Spiegel & Annalee Yassi & Nisha Naicker, 2020. "Occupational Tuberculosis Among Laboratory Workers in South Africa: Applying a Surveillance System to Strengthen Prevention and Control," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:5:p:1462-:d:324802
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hargreaves, J.R. & Boccia, D. & Evans, C.A. & Adato, M. & Petticrew, M. & Porter, J.D., 2011. "The social determinants of tuberculosis: from evidence to action," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(4), pages 654-662.
    2. Rajnish Joshi & Arthur L Reingold & Dick Menzies & Madhukar Pai, 2006. "Tuberculosis among Health-Care Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(12), pages 1-16, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rodney Ehrlich & Jerry M. Spiegel & Prince Adu & Annalee Yassi, 2020. "Current Guidelines for Protecting Health Workers from Occupational Tuberculosis Are Necessary, but Not Sufficient: Towards a Comprehensive Occupational Health Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-11, June.

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