An audit of TB prevention on Italian health care workers

Tuberculosis (TB) is considered an occupational disease in health care workers. The aim of this study is to asses the state of tuberculosis prevention among the personnel of the Vaccination Services of the Puglia Region (Italy), who were given an interview-based standardised questionnaire. Of the 302 replies, TB screening had been undergone by 80.5%, whom 78.6% took advice by the occupational health physician. Of those who were negative to the PPD skin test, 60.6% had received BCG, whom 78% took vaccination advice by the occupational health physician. In Italy, the procedures for the monitoring and prevention of tuberculosis are a consolidated practice for occupational health physicians.