Wang YH, Tian Y, Gao JX, Lei CK, Liu YW, Han ZM, Xing H, Yan C, Zhou L. Tuberculosis prevalence among university freshmen in Zhengzhou, China, during 2004-2013.
Afr Health Sci 2018;
18:1109-1116. [PMID:
30766577 PMCID:
PMC6354879 DOI:
10.4314/ahs.v18i4.32]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern worldwide, and spreads more easily in densely populated areas such as school campuses.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of positive TB skin tests among freshmen, i.e. newly-enrolled college students, in Zhengzhou City, China.
Methods
We reviewed the data of purified protein derivative (PPD) skin tests in 656,212 freshmen in 2004–2013.
Results
A positive test showed a diameter of swelling ≥ 5 mm. The PPD positive rate was 40.69 %, with a prevalence of 146.29 per 100,000. During the 10-year study period, the rate of students with positive PPD test increased from 34.19 % in 2004 to 40.69 % in 2013. The positive PPD rate was significantly higher in males than in females (41.68 % vs 39.61 %, P<0.0001), and in rural compared with urban areas (42.04 % vs 38.03 %, P<0.0001).
Conclusion
These findings indicated a high prevalence of PPD positivity among participants during the study period, with an increasing trend. Therefore, this population needs to be targeted by TB prevention and control programs.
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