Abstract
Background & ObjectiveThe Healthcare workers (HCWs) who work in DOTS/Sputum microscopy centre are exposed to higher risk of contacting tuberculosis (TB) comparatively to other health workers who are serving the other health sectors. The HCWs in DOTS are more exposed due to direct contact with patients suffering from TB or through sharing the infected air space with the infectious patients. The aim of the study is to know the prevalance of TB disease amongst the HCWs who are working in DOTS cum Sputum Microscopy Centre's under RNTCP in two different districts of state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Uttarakhand (UK) of india. MethodsThe prospective cross-sectional study is conducted in two districts of different states having high burden of TB disease in UP and low burden of TB disease in UK state. All 100% (130) staff i.e. Medical officers, Sputum microscopy technicians, DOTS providers of DOTS cum Sputum Microscopy centre's of both selected Ghaziabad (UP) and Dehradun (UK) districts are covered in the study. ResultsThe 4.6% (6) healthcare workers of both the districts were taking ATT at the time of interview and 13.8% (18) HCWs had taken the ATT in past. The 62.5% (15) HCWs i.e 55.5% (5) from Dehradun district and 66.6% (10) from Ghaziabad district preferred to have a ATT from the private medical store inspite of taking DOTS with assumption of low efficacy of drugs and high toxicity. The 58.33% (14) HCWs ie 55.5% (5) staff members of DOTS/sputum microscopy centre in Dehradun & 60.0% (9) staff members of DOTS/sputum microscopy centre in Ghaziabad district had not notified about the status of their disease to the health care authority due the assumption that they may be asked to leave the job or to go on a long unpaid leave. ConclusionThe 18.4% (24) HCWs of both the district got TB disease during their working in DOTS/Sputum microscopy centre and 4.6% (6) HCWs of both the districts were taking the ATT at the time of interview.
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