Tuberculosis and Risk factors Among Public transport (Taxi) drivers at Bangkok

Abstract

Abstract: Kladphuang B., Yoongthaisong C., Division of Tuberculosis, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health.

Tuberculosis and Risk factors Among Public transport (Taxi) drivers at Bangkok

 A cross sectional study in order to determine tuberculosis and risk factors associated with among taxi drivers at Bangkok. Physical examination, Chest X-ray and sputum examination were conducted. There were 1,548 taxi drivers to participate. The result of study found that 32 cases (2.07%) with chest x-ray abnormal related with TB (presumptive). 30 cases were pulmonary TB bacteriologically Negative and 2 cases were bacteriologically positive (0.13%). Non-TB and heart disease were 5.30 and 0.90 respectively. The result from univariate analysis indicated significant factors associated with TB (presumptive) among taxi drivers were married status (P< 0.05, 95%CI = 0.078-0.984), education in secondary school (P< 0.05, 95%CI=0.008-0.924), smoking (P< 0.05, 95%CI=1.20- 5.394). In addition the study found 43.75 % asymptomatic of cases with chest x-ray abnormal related with TB (presumptive)(P<0.001,95%CI=2.295-13.290) and with underlying disease (DM, Hypertension, Cholesterol, thyroid) (P<0.001,95%CI=2.295-13.290). The results suggest that both taxi drivers and all passengers wearing surgical mask all time, cleaning, open air ventilation and regular check up 1-2 time/year would be done.