Tuberculosis screening. Evaluation of a food handlers' program

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Health Economics

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern.
• Food handlers represent a population requiring targeted screening due to potential transmission risks.
• Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of public health interventions is crucial for resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the cost-effectiveness of a tuberculosis screening program implemented for food handlers.
• To determine the number of individuals eligible for preventive treatment identified through the screening.
• To project the long-term impact of the screening program on reducing active tuberculosis cases.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 6,090 food handlers underwent tuberculosis screening.
• The cost per identified candidate for preventive treatment was calculated.
• Active tuberculosis cases were identified, and a risk/benefit analysis was performed.
• Future case reductions were projected over a ten-year period.

Main Results:

• The cost per identifiable candidate for preventive treatment was $45.
• 324 individuals were identified as candidates for preventive treatment.
• Four new active tuberculosis cases were detected during the screening.
• A projected reduction of 19.4 new active cases over ten years was estimated.

Conclusions:

• Tuberculosis screening for food handlers is a cost-effective strategy.
• The program successfully identified individuals needing preventive treatment and active cases.
• The intervention is expected to yield substantial long-term public health benefits by reducing future tuberculosis incidence.