Revista de Epidemiologia e Controle de Infecção (Apr 2018)

Latent infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among nursing students from a public university

  • Daniela Furtado Rodrigues de Andrade,
  • Maria do Rosário Conceição Moura Nunes Nunes,
  • Carolina Bezerra Valadares,
  • Hugo Leonardo Barros de Arêa Leão,
  • Francisco de Moura Bezerra Filho,
  • Viriato Campelo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v8i2.11302
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 2
pp. 184 – 188

Abstract

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Background and Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of M. tuberculosis Latent Infection (ILTB) among nursing students of a public higher education school. The study contributes to a better understanding of occupational tuberculosis and to the improvement of strategies for the prevention and monitoring of tuberculosis. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in Teresina-PI. Was used a socio-educational and epidemiological characterization questionnaire and, after filling in, the participants (n = 63) underwent tuberculin skin test using the intraday method. Results: The prevalence of ILTB was 36% and the factors associated with ILTB were the semester, hospital placements and contact with patients in isolation. Conclusion: The results point to the high prevalence of ILTB in nursing students and reinforce the importance of the tuberculin test as a way to monitor ILTB in this population.