Assessment Of The Tuberculin Skin Test Positivity Rate Among Students Of International Health Sciences University

Abstract

Back ground: TB latency has created a serious hindrance to Global TB control. The Tuberculin skin test (TST) can be used to detect Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and appropriately inform TB control programs. The main objective of this study was to at assess the Tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity rate among all IHSU students.

Methods: A cross sectional research study design was used to assess the positivity rate of tuberculin skin among students at International Health Sciences University (IHSU) in August 2018. 0.1ml of Purified protein derivative (PPD) was intradermally introduced on long axis of the fore arm. An induration of ≥5 mm diameter was taken to be positive. Univariate and multivariate method were used to assess the risk factors associated with LTBI.

Results: A total of 205 participants were sampled for TST test. The TST positivity rate was years (Z= 2.96, P=0.023) courses of Laboratory (Z= 3.12, P=0.002) and Nursing (Z= 2.21, P=0.027) long time of clinical placement for more than four months (Z= 3.81, P=<0.001) and smoking (Z= 3.97, P=<0.001).

Conclusion and recommendations: Tuberculin skin test positivity rate among IHSU students was lower than the studies around Kampala and male students were more affected than girls. The risky factors were associated with a positive LTBI were age, course, duration of placement and smoking. This suggests that health care providers should put on protective equipment like N95 masks, work under Bio safety cabinets and carry out routine screening test for LTBI. Those found positive be advised to do further tests like Zeihl Neelsen, Chest X-ray and culture and sensitivity Keywords: Latent tuberculosis infection, Tuberculin skin test and TB control.