Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology in Albania has significantly improved in the last decades owing to advanced TB control activities following financial support from different sources. In 2010, WHO estimated a TB incidence and mortality rate of 14 and 0.38 per 100.000 population, respectively.
Objective: To estimate the Albanian prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI).
Methods: A national Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) survey was carried out in 2010. Furthermore, a standardized questionnaire was distributed to a representative sample of students to assess the knowledge and attitudes on TB.
Results: Three districts (Dibra, Tirana-Kamez, Vlora) were selected based on representativeness criteria (location, incidence and migration patterns). The survey performed according to WHO recommendations enrolled 4,722 students (2,359, 49.9%, were males); proportions of educational level were: grade 5 (30%), grade 6 (33%) and grade 7 (37%). Results were evaluated in 98.5%. Induration size exceeds 15 mm in 16%, while in 56% of the cases ranged from 6 to 10 mm. Prevalence of LTBI was higher in Dibra District and Kamez (12.0 % and 9.5 % respectively), strictly related to TB incidence. 2,814/3,242 could answer an anonymous questionnaire on TB. Students living in the distrct of Dibra showed the highest proportion of positive responses on TB items, probably explained by the high TB incidence and by the high frequency of information from television programmes.
Conclusion: Estimated LTBI prevalence is low in Albania, although a high geographical variability was described. Students' knowledge on TB was deemed not satisfactory, despite 87% knew the presence of the disease.
- © 2012 ERS