Prevalence of positive tuberculin skin test and associated factors among Makerere medical students, Kampala, Uganda
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Health Sciences
Abstract
Tuberculosis infection among medical students is thought to be higher than that among comparable groups.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and associated factors among medical
students at Makerere University.
Methods: A-cross-sectional study among randomly selected medical students. Using intra-dermal technique, TST was performed
by administering 0.1ml of purified protein derivative. Readings performed after 72 hours and positive TST based on
an induration of ≥10mm.
Results: Of 302 students selected to participate, 292 received TST and 288 were analyzed. Of 288 students, 173(60%) were
pre-clinical (years 1-3) and 115(40%) clinical (years 4&5). Overall 130 students [45.1%(C.I.39.3–51.1)] had positive TST, not
different from one derived from mixture analysis [46.3%(95% Bayesian credibility interval 36.5%-55.8%)]. Positive TST prevalence
among pre-clinical was 39.9%(67/173) compared to 53.0%(61/115) among clinical students, OR=1.70,C.I.(1.06-2.74)
and increases in a linear pattern with increasing years of study (p=0.002,OR=5.04).
Conclusion: The prevalence of TB infection among medical students was twice higher than that of adults living in the suburbs
and higher among those in clinical relative to pre-clinical years suggesting that exposure and infection might be related
to clinical work. We recommend urgent institution of infection control measures.
Description
Keywords
Tuberculin skin testing, Tuberculosis, Medical students
Citation
Lou, J. K., Okot-Nwang, M., & Katamba, A. (2015). Prevalence of positive tuberculin skin test and associated factors among Makerere medical students, Kampala, Uganda. African Health Sciences, 15(4), 1247-1255. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v15i4.25