Epidemiology and Infection
Volume 133, Issue 1, 2005, Pages 179-185

Completion of screening for latent tuberculosis infection among immigrants (Article)

Carvalho A.C.C.* , Saleri N. , El-Hamad I. , Tedoldi S. , Capone S. , Pezzoli M.C. , Zaccaria M. , Pizzocolo A. , Scarcella C. , Matteelli A.
  • a Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • b Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • c Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy, District Health Department, Brescia, Italy
  • d Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • e Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • f Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • g District Health Department, Brescia, Italy
  • h District Health Department, Brescia, Italy
  • i District Health Department, Brescia, Italy
  • j Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy

Abstract

The objective of our study was to evaluate the sociodemographic factors associated with completion of screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among undocumented immigrants in Brescia, Italy. Screening for LTBI was offered to 649 immigrants; 213 (33%) immigrants completed the first step of screening; only 44% (55/124) of individuals with a positive tuberculin skin test result started treatment for LTBI. The univariate analysis showed that being unmarried, of Senegalese nationality and being interviewed by a health-care worker with the same native language as the immigrant were significantly associated with completion of screening for LTBI. In the multiple logistic regression, being interviewed in the native language of the health-care worker (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3-4.8, P=0.004) and being of Senegalese origin (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.6, P=0.0005) were independently associated with adherence to LTBI screening. Our results suggest that knowledge of the sociodemographic characteristics of immigrants, and the participation of health-care workers of the same cultural origin as the immigrant during the visits, can be an important tool to improve completion of screening for LTBI. © 2004 Cambridge University Press.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

prospective study immigrant cooperation controlled clinical trial regression analysis mass screening logistic regression analysis clinical trial demography health care personnel multiple regression correlation analysis Prospective Studies human controlled study social aspect Logistic Models screening test language ethnology statistical significance interview marriage Senegal Humans lung tuberculosis tuberculostatic agent male Chi-Square Distribution female Socioeconomic Factors tuberculosis Risk Factors cultural factor prevalence Article patient compliance major clinical study tuberculin test adult antibiotic therapy ambulatory care Emigration and Immigration Italy cost effectiveness analysis tuberculin
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-14044276831&doi=10.1017%2fS0950268804003061&partnerID=40&md5=237b0b06799460f03acd978de100197d
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268804003061
ISSN: 09502688
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English