TUBERCULOSIS RISK IN FUNERAL HOME EMPLOYEES

In order to estimate the risk of tuberculosis infection among employee s in the funeral service industry, we conducted a risk-assessment stud y of a convenience sample of funeral home employees. Study participant s completed ct risk-assessment questionnaire and underwent tuberculin skin testing. Of 864 employees tested, 101 (11.7%) had a reactive tube rculin skin test. Reactivity to the tuberculin skin test was significa ntly associated with job category; funeral home employees with a prese nt or past history of embalming deceased-human remains were twice as l ikely to be reactive as were non-embalming personnel (14.9% versus 7.2 %, p < 0.01), Reactivity uas also associated with age, gender, race pa st history of close contact with a person diagnosed with tuberculosis, and work history, After controlling for age and other factors, tuberc ulin reactivity was found to be associated in embalming personnel with the number of years spent performing embalmings (greater than or equa l to 20), and, in non-embalming personnel, with a history of close con tact with infected individuals. Based on these results, it is recommen ded that funeral home employees who routinely embalm cadavers undergo annual tuberculin skin testing, receive initial training on tuberculos is prevention, and wear respiratory protection when preparing known tu berculosis cases.