Abstract
BackgroundUganda’s Ministry of Health registered a 12% increase in new Tuberculosis (TB) cases between 2001 and 2005. Of these, 20% were from Kampala district and most from Mulago national referral hospital where the largest and the oldest medical school is found. Medical students are likely to have an increased exposure to TB infection due to their training in hospitals compared to other university students. The study compared the prevalence of TB infection and associated factors among undergraduate medical and veterinary students in Makerere University, Uganda.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study with 232 medical and 250 veterinary undergraduate students. Socio-demographic and past medical history data was collected using questionnaires. A tuberculin skin test was performed on the volar aspect of the left forearm. An induration ≥10 mm in diameter after 48-72 hrs was considered positive. Logistic regression was used to determine association of independent variables with TB infection.ResultsThe prevalence of TB infection was higher in medical students (44.8%, 95% C.I= 38.4-51.3%) compared to veterinary students (35.2%, 95% C.I = 29.3-41.1%). The significant predictors of TB infection were: being a medical student (aOR=1.56, 95% CI = 1.05-2.31), male sex (aOR=1.75, 95% CI = 1.17-2.63), history of contact with a confirmed TB case (aOR=1.57, 95% CI = 1.06-2.31) and residing at home (aOR=2.08, 95% CI = 1.20-3.61). Among the medical students, having gone to a day compared to boarding high school (aOR=2.31, 95% CI = 1.06-5.04), involvement in extracurricular clinical exposure (aOR=3.39 95% CI = 1.60-7.16), male sex, residence at home, and history of contact with a TB case predicted TB infection.ConclusionMedical students have a higher prevalence of TB infection than veterinary students probably due to increased exposure during training. There is a need to emphasize TB infection control measures in hospitals and the general community.
Highlights
Uganda’s Ministry of Health registered a 12% increase in new Tuberculosis (TB) cases between 2001 and 2005
The Ministry of Health registered a 12% increase in new TB cases between 2001 and 2005 of which 20% were from Kampala district and most of the cases were from Mulago national referral hospital [4] where the largest and the oldest medical school in Uganda is found
The veterinary students were older, and had higher proportions of males, students residing at home or in private halls, and those engaging in extracurricular clinical exposure
Summary
Uganda’s Ministry of Health registered a 12% increase in new Tuberculosis (TB) cases between 2001 and 2005. Medical students are likely to have an increased exposure to TB infection due to their training in hospitals compared to other university students. The Ministry of Health registered a 12% increase in new TB cases between 2001 and 2005 of which 20% were from Kampala district and most of the cases were from Mulago national referral hospital [4] where the largest and the oldest medical school in Uganda is found. Several studies have suggested a high risk of infection by Mycobactrium Tuberculosis (MTB) among medical students due to exposure to patients during training. A more recent study by Joseph K Lou among 288 undergraduate medical students in Makerere University College of Health Sciences (Medical school) estimated the prevalence of LTBI at 45.1% (unpublished dissertation, 2009). The ripple effect of this may have a multiplier effect when these students in turn become the source of infection to the patients, fellow students and the community at large
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