Direct estimates of absolute ventilation and estimated Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission risk in clinics in South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Healthcare facilities are important sites for the transmission of pathogens spread via bioaerosols, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Natural ventilation can play an important role in reducing this transmission. We aimed to measure rates of natural ventilation in clinics in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces, South Africa, then use these measurements to estimate Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission risk. We measured ventilation in clinic spaces using a tracer-gas release method. In spaces where this was not possible, we estimated ventilation using data on indoor and outdoor carbon dioxide levels. Ventilation was measured i) under usual conditions and ii) with all windows and doors fully open. Under various assumptions about infectiousness and duration of exposure, measured absol

SUBMITTER: Beckwith PG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10021606 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature