A Review of Workplace Tuberculosis Policies in Selected Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Asia-Pacific

Authors

  • Evalyn A. Roxas, MD, MPH Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7842-7520
  • Vivien Fe F. Fadrilan-Camacho, MD, MPH Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6909-9764
  • Paul Michael R. Hernandez, MD, MOH Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Maria Margarita M. Lota, MD, MHPEd Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5336-3804
  • Loisse Mikaela M. Loterio Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Adrian Paul M. Agravante, RMT Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Daniella Kate B. Corpuz, MS College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Carlo R. Lumangaya College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6785-2521
  • Richelle Liza F. Maglalang, RMT College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Micaela J. Arevalo College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr., MD, MTM&H Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47895/

Keywords:

tuberculosis (TB), workplace policies, low- and middle-income countries, tuberculosis program, tuberculosis in the workplace

Abstract

Background and Objective. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that most of the tuberculosis (TB) cases are aged between 15 to 54 years old, the working population. This study described workplace policies on TB in selected low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in Asia-Pacific.

Methods. Among the LMICs, countries wherein TB is a public health concern were included. Six policies written in English were included in this study and were reviewed based on the components of the TB workplace programs that were extracted from the WHO Guidelines for Workplace TB Control Activities.

Results. The Philippine policy had the most number of components while those of Cambodia and Papua New Guinea had the least. Only the component on implementing environmental controls was common among the policies. Components on respecting patient rights and confidentiality, tailoring of workload to TB patient’s state of health, registration of all patients with TB diagnosis, reporting of cases to central NTP office, recording of standard treatment outcome, and inclusion of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) provisions were missing for the majority of the policy documents.

Conclusion. The workplace TB program policies included in this study can be reviewed and updated accordingly, with the coverage expanding to all workplaces. The policies can also integrate measures on COVID-19 as the pandemic has slowed the progress in TB control. With the similarities in the preventive measures against TB and COVID-19, this can be an avenue to develop integrated policies especially for workplaces.

 

Downloads

Published

2025-03-31

How to Cite

1.
A Review of Workplace Tuberculosis Policies in Selected Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Asia-Pacific. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 31 [cited 2025 Apr. 4];59(4). Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/9364

Most read articles by the same author(s)