Tuberculin and Sputum Smear Positivity among Doctors and Paramedics of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Aim: To study tuberculin & sputum smear +ve among doctors & paramedics of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Pulmonology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from April 2016 to july2016. A total no of 100 doctors and paramedics (nurses, nursing students and other paramedics like laboratory workers, ward assistants and cleaners), serving in the hospital for more than two years in the pulmonology, medicine, surgery and allied and Pathology department. Results: Among doctors, 02 (5.4%) cases of sputum smear positive disease was detected while inactive disease was found in 4 (11.4%) subjects. TB infection rate was found to be 65.7%. Among nurses, 3 (11.5%) were detected having active disease and 5 (19.5%) inactive disease. Among nursing students, 4 (20%) were suffering from active disease and 3(15%) inactive disease. Conclusion: It is concluded from the study that tuberculosis remains an occupational hazard for Doctors and paramedics and strict protective measures should be implemented .also tuberculin positivity along with sputum smear positivity is an effective tool for screening of infection among health care professionals .