PREVALENCE OF LATENT TB INFECTION AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS, ALJAZEERA STATE TB CENTERS, SUDAN

Health care workers (HCW) are at increased risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) from occupational exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The objective was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for LTBI among primary HCW in Aljazeera state Sudan. We conducted an analytical study, among HCW in TB treatment center using a structured questionnaire and an evaluated for LTBI using the tuberculin skin test among 367 HCW, the LTBI prevalence was 35.7%. (64.5%), We found that the following factors associated with LTBI in HCW were in age group 30-40 years was 63% ,75.2% of the participants didn't do the skin test for TB, and the high risk among the lab technician represented 41.2%. Our study recommended implementation of sound TB infection control measures in all health care facilities with patients suspected of having infectious.