Burden and factors associated with occupational tuberculosis infection among high-risk workers in Lahore District, Pakistan

• Published in: Journal of infection in developing countries Vol. 18; no. 7; pp. 1041 - 1049
• Main Authors: Jabeen, Chanda, Mushtaq, Muhammad Hassan, Ali Khan, Jawaria, Umbreen, Gulshan, Saeed, Muhammad Saqib, Sadiq, Shakera, Maqsood, Rubab, Rashid, Hamad Bin, Asif, Muhammad, Iqbal, Khalid, Ahmad, Sohail, Chaudhry, Mamoona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 29-07-2024
• Subjects: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - isolation & purification; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - microbiology; Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Pakistan - epidemiology; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sputum - microbiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tuberculosis - epidemiology; Young Adult; Pakistan; occupational workers; Pakistan; MTBC; zoonosis; tuberculosis
• ISSN: 1972-2680; 1972-2680
• DOI: 10.3855/jidc.17965

The main objective of the study was to estimate the burden of occupational tuberculosis infection in high-risk occupational workers and to identify risk factors associated with the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC).
An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among high-risk occupational workers including veterinarians, abattoir workers, animal handlers, livestock farmers, and microbiology laboratory workers. Sputum samples were collected from 100 participants and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were done to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) infection. Data on potential risk factors was collected in a pre-designed questionnaire. The MTBC prevalence ratio was estimated. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors and the crude odds ratio (OR) was calculated.
Among the 100 enrolled high risk occupational workers, the prevalence of MTBC was 46% (95% CI: 35.98-56.25). Living in a joint family (OR 3.85, 95% CI: 1.58-9.37), and use of unpasteurized milk (OR 3.42, 95% CI: 1.4-8.39), were significantly associated with MTBC infection.
Tuberculosis is a significant health burden in high-risk occupational groups, especially animal handlers and laboratory workers, in Lahore, Pakistan. The study also emphasized the need for formal work-related training, and enhanced zoonotic TB awareness among occupational workers.