Discussion
Health care workers with an exposure of working in a TB
ward had a two-fold greater incidence of TB comparedwith those without the exposure of working in a TB ward
in this study. However, findings from this study also indicated
that HCWs who worked in other areas of the hospital
including non-clinical areas, such as the stores
department, also had a greater incidence of TB. This suggests
that TB transmission may be occurring throughout
hospitals due to patients suspected of TB placed in general
medical wards or patients unsuspected of TB being hospitalized
for extended periods of time [23,24]. These findings
indicate a need to urgently investigate infection
control measures and practices throughout hospitals including
non-clinical areas and ensure all hospital staff
members receive infection control training. Moreover, all
staff should undergo routine TB symptom screening to
identify and treat cases of TB in HCWs.