Tuberculosis Testing in Greek Army Recruits
Author Information
Author(s): German Vasilios, Giannakos Georgios, Kopterides Petros, Falagas Matthew E
Primary Institution: Medical Service of the Hellenic Army Supply and Transportation Corps Training Center
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and predictors of tuberculin skin testing positivity in Hellenic Army recruits?
Conclusion
The study found a low overall prevalence of tuberculin positivity among Greek Army recruits, but a significantly higher rate in repatriated individuals, highlighting the need for targeted TB screening.
Supporting Evidence
- The overall prevalence of tuberculin positivity was 3.9%.
- Repatriation status was independently associated with tuberculin positivity.
- Tuberculin positivity was found in 2.6% of natives and 24.5% of repatriates.
Takeaway
This study looked at young men joining the Greek Army and found that while most didn't have tuberculosis, those who came back from other countries were much more likely to test positive.
Methodology
The study involved tuberculin skin testing on 953 recruits, with data collected through interviews and measurements of weight, height, and BMI.
Potential Biases
The study focused only on male recruits, limiting generalizability to other populations.
Limitations
The study could not account for prior BCG vaccination status, which may affect TST results.
Participant Demographics
All participants were male, aged 17–34 years, with a mean age of 23.5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.047
Confidence Interval
6.5–30.3
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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