Prevalence and Associated Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Workers in a Mexican Tertiary Care Hospital

Background/Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are globally recognized as a high-risk group for tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, limited data exist on the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) and associated occupational risk factors in the Mexican context. Identifying the burden of LTBI i...

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Main Authors: José Ángel Hernández-Mariano, Mónica Alethia Cureño-Díaz, Verónica Fernández-Sánchez, Estibeyesbo Said Plascencia-Nieto, Dulce Milagros Razo-Blanco-Hernández, Claudia Vázquez-Zamora, Víctor Hugo Gutiérrez-Muñoz, Beatriz Leal-Escobar, Erika Gómez-Zamora, Yanelly Estrella Morales-Vargas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Diseases
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/6/173
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author José Ángel Hernández-Mariano
Mónica Alethia Cureño-Díaz
Verónica Fernández-Sánchez
Estibeyesbo Said Plascencia-Nieto
Dulce Milagros Razo-Blanco-Hernández
Claudia Vázquez-Zamora
Víctor Hugo Gutiérrez-Muñoz
Beatriz Leal-Escobar
Erika Gómez-Zamora
Yanelly Estrella Morales-Vargas
author_facet José Ángel Hernández-Mariano
Mónica Alethia Cureño-Díaz
Verónica Fernández-Sánchez
Estibeyesbo Said Plascencia-Nieto
Dulce Milagros Razo-Blanco-Hernández
Claudia Vázquez-Zamora
Víctor Hugo Gutiérrez-Muñoz
Beatriz Leal-Escobar
Erika Gómez-Zamora
Yanelly Estrella Morales-Vargas
author_sort José Ángel Hernández-Mariano
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are globally recognized as a high-risk group for tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, limited data exist on the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) and associated occupational risk factors in the Mexican context. Identifying the burden of LTBI is essential for effective prevention. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LTBI among HCWs in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico and to explore associated risk factors. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 HCWs (including physicians, nurses, and stretcher-bearers) at a tertiary-level hospital in Mexico. Sociodemographic and occupational data were collected through a structured questionnaire. LTBI screening was performed using the tuberculin skin test (TST), with positive results confirmed via the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay. Associations between relevant variables and LTBI were assessed using logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: The prevalence of LTBI was 16.7%. After adjusting for confounders, male HCWs had significantly higher odds of LTBI compared to females (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–3.80). Although elevated odds of LTBI were also observed among physicians, stretcher-bearers, and those with direct contact with TB patients, these associations were not statistically significant. Conclusion: LTBI represents a relevant occupational health issue among HCWs, with nearly one in six workers affected. Early detection and prevention of TB in healthcare settings are critical to protecting individual workers and public health. These findings highlight the need to strengthen occupational TB surveillance and prevention strategies in similar healthcare environments.
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spelling doaj-art-0ff1ae85d3fe4a9fb2a29e77e13e35f12025-06-25T13:42:57ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212025-05-0113617310.3390/diseases13060173Prevalence and Associated Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Workers in a Mexican Tertiary Care HospitalJosé Ángel Hernández-Mariano0Mónica Alethia Cureño-Díaz1Verónica Fernández-Sánchez2Estibeyesbo Said Plascencia-Nieto3Dulce Milagros Razo-Blanco-Hernández4Claudia Vázquez-Zamora5Víctor Hugo Gutiérrez-Muñoz6Beatriz Leal-Escobar7Erika Gómez-Zamora8Yanelly Estrella Morales-Vargas9Department of Research, Hospital Juarez of Mexico, Mexico City 07760, MexicoDirection of Medical Teaching and Research, Hospital Juarez of Mexico, Mexico City 07760, MexicoDepartment of Research, Hospital Juarez of Mexico, Mexico City 07760, MexicoPostgraduate Studies and Research Section, School of Medicine, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City 07738, MexicoDepartment of Research, Hospital Juarez of Mexico, Mexico City 07760, MexicoDepartment of Infectious Disease, Hospital Juarez of Mexico, Mexico City 07760, MexicoEpidemiological Surveillance Unit, Hospital Juarez of Mexico, Mexico City 07760, MexicoEpidemiological Surveillance Unit, Hospital Juarez of Mexico, Mexico City 07760, MexicoDepartment of Medical Management, Hospital Juarez of Mexico, Mexico City 07760, MexicoSchool of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, MexicoBackground/Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are globally recognized as a high-risk group for tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, limited data exist on the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) and associated occupational risk factors in the Mexican context. Identifying the burden of LTBI is essential for effective prevention. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LTBI among HCWs in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico and to explore associated risk factors. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 HCWs (including physicians, nurses, and stretcher-bearers) at a tertiary-level hospital in Mexico. Sociodemographic and occupational data were collected through a structured questionnaire. LTBI screening was performed using the tuberculin skin test (TST), with positive results confirmed via the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay. Associations between relevant variables and LTBI were assessed using logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: The prevalence of LTBI was 16.7%. After adjusting for confounders, male HCWs had significantly higher odds of LTBI compared to females (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–3.80). Although elevated odds of LTBI were also observed among physicians, stretcher-bearers, and those with direct contact with TB patients, these associations were not statistically significant. Conclusion: LTBI represents a relevant occupational health issue among HCWs, with nearly one in six workers affected. Early detection and prevention of TB in healthcare settings are critical to protecting individual workers and public health. These findings highlight the need to strengthen occupational TB surveillance and prevention strategies in similar healthcare environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/6/173health personnelhealthcare workerslatent tuberculosismycobacterium tuberculosis infection
spellingShingle José Ángel Hernández-Mariano
Mónica Alethia Cureño-Díaz
Verónica Fernández-Sánchez
Estibeyesbo Said Plascencia-Nieto
Dulce Milagros Razo-Blanco-Hernández
Claudia Vázquez-Zamora
Víctor Hugo Gutiérrez-Muñoz
Beatriz Leal-Escobar
Erika Gómez-Zamora
Yanelly Estrella Morales-Vargas
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Workers in a Mexican Tertiary Care Hospital
Diseases
health personnel
healthcare workers
latent tuberculosis
mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
title Prevalence and Associated Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Workers in a Mexican Tertiary Care Hospital
title_full Prevalence and Associated Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Workers in a Mexican Tertiary Care Hospital
title_fullStr Prevalence and Associated Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Workers in a Mexican Tertiary Care Hospital
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and Associated Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Workers in a Mexican Tertiary Care Hospital
title_short Prevalence and Associated Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Workers in a Mexican Tertiary Care Hospital
title_sort prevalence and associated factors of latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in a mexican tertiary care hospital
topic health personnel
healthcare workers
latent tuberculosis
mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/6/173
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