Risk Factors for Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Among Household Contacts of TB Patients: A Systematic Review IN PRESS

Abstract

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) occurs when a person is infected with TB but does not develop active disease. It is estimated that 2.3 billion people worldwide have LTBI, with household contacts of TB patients being a high-risk group. This systematic review aims to identify risk factors for LTBI among household contacts of TB patients. Literature searches were conducted through Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar from 2019 to 2024. Inclusion criteria included studies on LTBI risk factors among household contacts of TB patients, written in English or Indonesian, research articles, and participants who lived with an active TB patient for at least one night and/or had frequent interactions with the patient within three months prior to TB treatment, Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) or Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) tests were required. Articles were assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) to determine quality. Nine articles were included. LTBI risk factors among household contacts of TB patients include increasing age, male, occupation type (farmers/laborers/fishermen), duration of employment for >10 years, duration of working hours for ≥8 hours/day, contact with TB patients, sharing a bedroom with TB patients, bedroom density, overweight, and owning pets. Government, healthcare workers, and the society particularly household contacts of TB patients, must understand these LTBI risks to prevent further transmission and support the 2030 TB elimination program.