Data from: Tuberculosis research in road construction sites

Introduction: Workers with occupational exposure to respirable silica dust like casual labourers at road construction sites (RCSs) are known to be at a high risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). There is limited literature about the burden of PTB among this sub-population with high occupational exposures to silica dust at road construction sites. We aimed to determine the prevalence of PTB among casual labourers working at road construction sites in Central Uganda. Methods: We enrolled 297 participants by consecutive sampling into a cross-sectional study in September 2022 at four road construction sites in four districts in Central Uganda. A structured questionnaire was administered and the PTB cases were identified using a Gene Xpert and/or Computer Aided Detection for TB (CAD4TB). Data were analyzed in STATA version 17.0. Descriptive statistics adjusted for clustering were used to summarize the data and the relationship between PTB and independent variables were assessed using a mixed effects modified Poisson regression model to estimate the adjusted prevalence ratios. Results: Most participants were males (95.6% (284/297)), median age was 29 years [Interquartile range (IQR); 25, 33]. The prevalence of PTB among casual labourers was 2.4% (95% CI: 1.9, 2.8). Being vaccinated with BCG (3.45, 95% CI (1.02, 11.61)), alcohol use (2.70, 95% CI (1.52, 4.80)) and staying in overcrowded house (8.13, 95% CI (4.37, 15.12)) were positively associated with having PTB.s Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of PTB among casual labourers working at road construction sites in Central Uganda. Individuals who had never been vaccinated with BCG, alcohol users and those staying in overcrowded houses were at an increased risk of having PTB. We recommend routine screening of casual labourers at road construction sites to optimize active TB case finding.

研究背景：存在职业性可吸入矽尘（respirable silica dust）暴露的人群，例如道路建筑工地（road construction sites，以下简称RCSs）的零工，其罹患肺结核（pulmonary tuberculosis, TB）的风险极高。目前针对道路建筑工地高职业矽尘暴露亚人群的肺结核（PTB）负担相关研究文献较为匮乏。本研究旨在明确乌干达中部地区道路建筑工地零工的PTB患病率。
研究方法：本研究于2022年9月采用连续抽样法，在乌干达中部4个区县的4处道路建筑工地招募297名受试者，开展横断面研究。研究采用结构化问卷收集信息，并通过Gene Xpert检测和/或计算机辅助结核检测（Computer Aided Detection for TB, CAD4TB）识别PTB病例。数据采用Stata 17.0软件进行分析：以聚类调整描述性统计方法汇总数据，并采用混合效应修正泊松回归模型评估PTB与各自变量之间的关联，以估算校正后患病率比。
研究结果：受试者中绝大多数为男性（95.6%，284/297），年龄中位数为29岁[四分位间距（IQR）：25~33]。道路建筑工地零工的PTB患病率为2.4%（95%置信区间：1.9~2.8）。未接种卡介苗（BCG）、饮酒以及居住于拥挤住房均与PTB患病呈正相关，其校正患病率比分别为3.45（95%CI：1.02~11.61）、2.70（95%CI：1.52~4.80）以及8.13（95%CI：4.37~15.12）。
研究结论：乌干达中部地区道路建筑工地零工的PTB患病率较高。未接种卡介苗、饮酒以及居住于拥挤住房的人群PTB患病风险显著升高。本研究建议对道路建筑工地零工开展常规筛查，以优化肺结核主动病例发现工作。