Environment as the risk factor for tuberculosis in Malaysia: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and incidence of TB by focusing on its environmental risk factor in Malaysia.ContentDatabases search of Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus, MyJournal, Biblioteca Regional de Medicina (BIREME), BioMed Central (BMC) Public Health, Medline, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux (CAB), EMBASE (Excerpta Medica dataBASE) OVID, and Web of Science (WoS) was performed, which include the article from 1st January 2008 until 31st August 2018 using medical subject heading (MeSH). Articles initially identified were screened for relevance.SummaryOut of 744 papers screened, nine eligible studies did meet our inclusion criteria. Prison and housing environments were evaluated for TB transmission in living environment, while the other factor was urbanization. However, not all association for these factors were statistically significant, thus assumed to be conflicting or weak to end up with a strong conclusion.OutlookUnsustainable indoor environment in high congregate setting and overcrowding remained as a challenge for TB infection in Malaysia. Risk factors for transmission of TB, specifically in high risk areas, should focus on the implementation of specialized program. Further research on health care environment, weather variability, and air pollution are urgently needed to improve the management of TB transmission.

Individual and environmental risk factors for tuberculosis disease

“…This finding confirms the results of previous studies. 19,20 Individuals living in areas with inadequate house density are more likely to develop tuberculosis due to high levels of contact, thereby accelerating the transmission of the virus if a family member has tested positive. The SDGs call for adequate housing to minimize the spread of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis.…”

“…[15][16][17][18] High contact in crowded settlements and poor ventilation also increase the risk of TB transmission. 19,20 Previous studies have identified other risk factors, including family history of infection, poor waste management and access to clean water. 21 Early observations in the Medan Tembung area showed an increase in the number of cases over the last 3 years.…”

Bacteriophages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, their diversity, and potential therapeutic uses: a review

“…But an important subject is the widespread occurrence of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB, worries around DR-TB are growing in current years. At least 5% of whole universal cases of TB have several types of drug resistance, that is, resistance to, as a minimum, one first-line anti-TB drug [ 19 – 22 ].…”

Development of a Conceptual Framework for Tuberculosis Man-agement and Control; an Evidence Synthesis using Text Mining Software: A Review

“…In terms of environmental controls, unsafe indoor environments in high congregate settings, and overcrowding in general, are most critical ( 7 ). Finally, respiratory protection is focused on reducing TB transmission to health workers, people attending health care facilities, or people in other settings with a high risk of transmission ( 6 ).…”