International Migration
Volume 55, Issue 5, 2017, Pages 62-74

Latent Tuberculosis Infection Screening Acceptability among Migrant Farmworkers (Article)

Osuchukwu O. , Nuῆez M. , Packard S. , Ehiri J. , Rosales C. , Hawkins E. , Gerardo Avilés J.G. , Gonzalez-Salazar F. , Oren E.
  • a Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
  • b Yuma County Health Services District, United States
  • c Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
  • d Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
  • e Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
  • f Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, United States
  • g Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Monterrey, United States
  • h Universidad de Monterrey, San Pedro Garza Garcia, United States
  • i Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States

Abstract

Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection is routinely diagnosed using the tuberculin skin test (TST). New methods of detection more specific than TST such as QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) have been developed but evidence remains limited on their acceptability among migrant farmworkers. This article examined the acceptability of screening tests among migrant farmworkers working on the Arizona-Mexico border. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of migrant farmworkers via questionnaire. Of 83 participants interviewed, 53 (63.9%) believed that TB was a serious disease that could result in death and 59 (71.1%) considered TB a health concern in their community. Sixty-four participants (77.1%) rated QFT-GIT test as performing better than TST. Our study demonstrates preference for QFT-GIT results over TST, and highlights migrant farmworkers’ considering themselves at risk of TB and TB as a health concern. Policies that create easy access and culturally appropriate, affordable healthcare for this vulnerable population should be encouraged. © 2017 The Authors. International Migration © 2017 IOM

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

detection method Mexico [North America] tuberculosis questionnaire survey migrant worker infectious disease agricultural worker Arizona United States
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85029375605&doi=10.1111%2fimig.12275&partnerID=40&md5=0508056dbd227a2519ce7def14334c01
DOI: 10.1111/imig.12275
ISSN: 00207985
Original Language: English