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Efficiency of tuberculin as a tool to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis

A A Sherif, A A Hasab, A A Mahfouz

    The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association
    |January 1, 1989
    PubMed

    Insights

    A study on 1937 first graders found a 4.49% tuberculosis (TB) infection rate. Household contacts of infected children showed a 30.6% infection rate, highlighting the need for effective TB screening in schools.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric infectious diseases
    • Public health surveillance
    • Tuberculosis epidemiology

    Background:

    • Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in school-aged populations.
    • Early detection of TB infection in children is crucial for preventing transmission and disease progression.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the prevalence and annual infection rate of TB among primary school children.
    • To assess the infection rate among household contacts of identified TB-positive children.
    • To evaluate the efficiency of the tuberculin screening test in this population.

    Main Methods:

    • A cohort of 1937 first-grade primary school children was followed.
    • Tuberculin tests were administered to assess TB infection.
    • Prevalence and annual infection rates were calculated.
    • Positive predictive value of the tuberculin test was determined.

    Main Results:

    • The prevalence rate of TB infection was 4.49% with an estimated annual infection rate of 0.75%.
    • Household contacts of tuberculin-positive pupils exhibited a significantly higher prevalence rate of infection at 30.6%.
    • The tuberculin screening test demonstrated a positive predictive value of 13.3%.

    Conclusions:

    • Primary school children represent a vulnerable group for TB infection.
    • Household contact tracing is essential for controlling TB spread originating from school-identified cases.
    • The tuberculin test's predictive value in this setting warrants further investigation and potential refinement of screening strategies.

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