Incidence of tuberculosis among nurses and healthcare assistants in France.

Abstract

Health care workers (HCWs) are considered to be at higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) than the general population. However, a decreasing incidence in the general population as well as improvement in preventive measures in hospitals has reduced the risk for HCWs. To quantify the actual incidence of TB in nurses and health care assistants in a low-incidence country. We performed a retrospective study of 80 hospitals throughout France, employing 233389 health care staff (physicians excluded). We calculated the number of pulmonary TB cases over 3 years (700166 person-years) and the total number of staff members in each job category (nurses, health care assistants, administrative staff) in each hospital, to calculate the incidence. Overall, the incidence rate varied between 1.27 and 6/100000 for administrative staff and nurses, respectively (non-significant difference). The incidence varied according to the geographical area. However, the incidence in nurses and health care assistants was not different from the general population (7.5/100000). In a low-incidence country, such as France, the implementation of measures to prevent occupational TB among HCWs has been effective. These preventive measures should be maintained but medical follow-up could be revised.