Tuberculosis in Healthcare Workers

Pan S-C, Chen Y-C, Wang J-Y, Sheng W-H, Lin H-H, Fang C-T, et al. (2015) Tuberculosis in Healthcare Workers: A Matched Cohort Study in Taiwan. PLoS ONE 10(12): e0145047.

Tuberculosis (TB) is considered a significant occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs) in Taiwan.

The incidence of active TB among HCWs in the study hospital was higher than that of the general population in Taiwan when adjusted for age, sex, and diagnosis year.

The outcomes of TB in HCWs were notably better compared to non-HCW patients treated in the same setting.

Factors such as the healthy worker effect, more rapid diagnosis, and less delay in treatment contributed to lower TB mortality among HCWs.

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Oliveira Hashiguchi, L., Cox, S.E., Edwards, T. et al. How can tuberculosis services better support patients with a diabetes co-morbidity? A mixed methods study in the Philippines. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 1027 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10015-7

TB and diabetes are usually treated in separate facilities, which is a significant challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Financial constraints, including loss of employment due to TB and the out-of-pocket costs for diabetes medications, pose major barriers to diabetes self-management.

Financial incentives, such as participation allowances, are important for encouraging diabetes self-care and improving glycaemic control outcomes.

Health education about diabetes management offered through TB programs is beneficial but needs further enhancement with supportive resources.

There is a need for culturally appropriate messaging and information about the use of phytotherapies in diabetes management.

Often, individuals seek diabetes management information from the internet and community due to inadequate resources available through TB-DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) programs.

TB programs should consider monitoring and managing diabetes, especially in patients with previously diagnosed or advanced disease, to reduce the risk of diabetes-related catastrophic health costs during TB treatment.