Determinants of Tuberculosis Infection Control–Related Behaviors Among Healthcare Workers in the Country of Georgia. (4th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mirtskhulava, Veriko; Whitaker, Jennifer A.; Kipiani, Maia; Harris, Drew A.; Tabagari, Nino; Owen-Smith, Ashli A.; Kempker, Russell R.; Blumberg, Henry M.
• Is Part Of: Infection control and hospital epidemiology. Volume 36:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 522
• Page End: 528
• Publication Date: 2015-02-04
• Subjects: Nosocomial infections -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Hospital buildings -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2015.5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-823X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="abs1" sec-type="general"> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> <p>To better understand tuberculosis (TB) infection control (IC) in healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Georgia.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs2" sec-type="general"> <title>DESIGN</title> <p>A cross-sectional evaluation of healthcare worker (HCW) knowledge, beliefs and behaviors toward TB IC measures including latent TB infection (LTBI) screening and treatment of HCWs.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs3" sec-type="general"> <title>SETTING</title> <p>Georgia, a high-burden multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) country.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs4" sec-type="general"> <title>PARTICIPANTS</title> <p>HCWs from the National TB Program and affiliated HCFs.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs5" sec-type="methods"> <title>METHODS</title> <p>An anonymous self-administered 55-question survey developed based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) conceptual framework.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs6" sec-type="results"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p>In total, 240 HCWs (48% physicians; 39% nurses) completed the survey. The overall average TB knowledge score was 61%. Only 60% of HCWs reported frequent use of respirators when in contact with TB patients. Only 52% of HCWs were willing to undergo annual LTBI screening; 48% were willing to undergo LTBI treatment. In multivariate analysis, HCWs who worried about acquiring MDR-TB infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28–2.25), who thought screening contacts of TB cases is important (aOR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.35–8.65), and who were physicians (aOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.08–2.60) were more likely to accept annual LTBI screening. With regard to LTBI treatment, HCWs who worked in an outpatient TB facility (aOR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.11–0.58) or perceived a high personal risk of TB reinfection (aOR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.37–0.64) were less likely to accept LTBI treatment.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs7" sec-type="conclusion"> <title>CONCLUSION</title> <p>The concern about TB reinfection is a major barrier to HCW acceptance of LTBI treatment. TB IC measures must be strengthened in parallel with or prior to the introduction of LTBI screening and treatment of HCWs.</p> <p> <italic>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</italic> 2015;00(0): 1–7</p> </sec> </abstract>