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Evaluation of a tuberculosis screening and prophylaxis program for international students
S Quillan1, C K Malotte, D Shlian
1University of California, Los Angeles.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) screening at UCLA found over half of foreign students positive. Despite interventions, isoniazid (INH) chemoprophylaxis completion rates remained low, impacting public health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Screening
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, causing widespread morbidity and mortality.
- Universities, like UCLA, implement TB screening for nonimmigrant foreign students due to high infection rates.
- Tuberculin skin testing is a standard pre-registration requirement for this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of positive tuberculin skin tests among foreign students at UCLA.
- To assess the effectiveness of isoniazid (INH) chemoprophylaxis adherence strategies.
- To analyze factors influencing completion rates for TB preventive therapy.
Main Methods:
- Conducted tuberculin skin tests on 589 nonimmigrant foreign students.
- Offered isoniazid (INH) chemoprophylaxis to positive reactors (n=339).
- Implemented various compliance strategies, including a lecture-discussion session, for a subset of students.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of positive tuberculin skin tests (57.6%, n=339) was observed.
- Despite interventions, overall completion rates for INH chemoprophylaxis were low.
- Attendance at a lecture-discussion session did not significantly improve therapy completion.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a substantial burden of latent TB infection among foreign students.
- Current strategies for improving INH chemoprophylaxis adherence require re-evaluation.
- Future TB screening programs need to address low treatment completion rates effectively.