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Public Health Weekly Report

Published online January 10, 2025

© The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

Results of the 2023 Screening Project for Latent TB Infection among Temporary Day Laborers in Care Facilities

Gahee Kim1, Gyuri Park1, Yujin Kim1, Hyeran Jeong1, Young-joon PARK1

1Director for Tuberculosis Policy, Department of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju

교신저자
박영준
+82-43-719-7310
pahmun@korea.kr

Abstract

Since August 2016, in accordance with Article 11 of the Prevention of Tuberculosis Act, Korea mandates tuberculosis (TB) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening for workers and staff in high-risk institutions and facilities, including medical institutions, postpartum care centers, schools, kindergartens, daycare centers, and child welfare facilities. These settings are considered vulnerable due to their high potential for TB outbreaks and significant public health impact. In 2023, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) implemented an LTBI screening project targeting workers in infant and toddler care facilities to establish and guide systematic screening practices. Through this initiative, 56,550 individuals were screened. The overall LTBI prevalence was 25.9% (14,656 individuals).
The prevalence of LTBI increased with age: 1.7% (1 person) in individuals under 20, 4.4% (277 people) in the 20–34 age group, 12.0% (1,211 people) in the 35–49 age group, 25.9% (3,082 people) in the 50–64 age group, and 35.8% (10,085 people) in those aged 65 and above.
Among the 14,656 individuals diagnosed with LTBI, 3,516 initiated treatment. The treatment initiation rate was 37.3% (1,707 individuals) among those under 65 years old who were recommended for treatment. Of those who began treatment, 72.2% (1,232 individuals) successfully completed it.
Regarding treatment facilities, 22.8% of LTBI treatments were managed by public health centers, while 77.2% were managed by medical centers. Treatment completion rates were higher in medical centers (72.8%) compared to public health centers (67.2%).
Korea is actively working to prevent TB outbreaks in pediatric and adolescent care facilities through the Prevention of Tuberculosis Act, which mandates TB and LTBI screening for facility workers. The KDCA plans to continue strengthening public awareness and encouraging adherence to screening protocols to address potential blind spots in TB prevention efforts.

Key words Latent tuberculosis infection, Infant and child care facilities, Screening project, Interferon-gamma release assay

On-line First

Public Health Weekly Report

Published online January 10, 2025

Copyright © The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Results of the 2023 Screening Project for Latent TB Infection among Temporary Day Laborers in Care Facilities

Gahee Kim1, Gyuri Park1, Yujin Kim1, Hyeran Jeong1, Young-joon PARK1

1Director for Tuberculosis Policy, Department of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju

Correspondence to:교신저자
박영준
+82-43-719-7310
pahmun@korea.kr

Abstract

Since August 2016, in accordance with Article 11 of the Prevention of Tuberculosis Act, Korea mandates tuberculosis (TB) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening for workers and staff in high-risk institutions and facilities, including medical institutions, postpartum care centers, schools, kindergartens, daycare centers, and child welfare facilities. These settings are considered vulnerable due to their high potential for TB outbreaks and significant public health impact. In 2023, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) implemented an LTBI screening project targeting workers in infant and toddler care facilities to establish and guide systematic screening practices. Through this initiative, 56,550 individuals were screened. The overall LTBI prevalence was 25.9% (14,656 individuals).
The prevalence of LTBI increased with age: 1.7% (1 person) in individuals under 20, 4.4% (277 people) in the 20–34 age group, 12.0% (1,211 people) in the 35–49 age group, 25.9% (3,082 people) in the 50–64 age group, and 35.8% (10,085 people) in those aged 65 and above.
Among the 14,656 individuals diagnosed with LTBI, 3,516 initiated treatment. The treatment initiation rate was 37.3% (1,707 individuals) among those under 65 years old who were recommended for treatment. Of those who began treatment, 72.2% (1,232 individuals) successfully completed it.
Regarding treatment facilities, 22.8% of LTBI treatments were managed by public health centers, while 77.2% were managed by medical centers. Treatment completion rates were higher in medical centers (72.8%) compared to public health centers (67.2%).
Korea is actively working to prevent TB outbreaks in pediatric and adolescent care facilities through the Prevention of Tuberculosis Act, which mandates TB and LTBI screening for facility workers. The KDCA plans to continue strengthening public awareness and encouraging adherence to screening protocols to address potential blind spots in TB prevention efforts.

Keywords: Latent tuberculosis infection, Infant and child care facilities, Screening project, Interferon-gamma release assay

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