Point prevalence of tuberculosis among central Americans sheltered in Houston

A study to determine the point prevalence of tuberculosis, as defined by a positive tuberculin skin test, was conducted among the inhabitants of a Central American shelter. The point prevalence was found to be 50% (17/34). This high point prevalence demonstrates the need to test Hispanics who have recently arrived in the United States for tuberculosis. The difficulty in completing evaluations of those with positive skin tests makes tuberculin skin testing ineffective in controlling tuberculosis in this population and setting. To improve control, local, state, and federal health agencies will need to coordinate their efforts and increase the accessibility of health care to populations at high risk.