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A strategy for reducing tuberculosis among Oglala Sioux Native Americans
1University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. joebreault@worldnet.att.net
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Targeting diabetic patients can significantly reduce tuberculosis rates among the Oglala Sioux at Pine Ridge Reservation. This strategy is crucial for effective tuberculosis control, especially with limited resources.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- The Oglala Sioux at Pine Ridge Reservation face historically high rates of tuberculosis (TB).
- Native American populations, particularly on large reservations, often experience disproportionate health burdens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify effective strategies for reducing tuberculosis incidence in the Pine Ridge Reservation population.
- To analyze tuberculosis trends and risk factors within this specific community.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of tuberculosis cases on the Pine Ridge Reservation from 1968 to 1994.
- Identification and characterization of tuberculosis status among diabetic patients via chart reviews.
- Calculation of age-specific tuberculosis rates and relative risks (RR) compared to the rest of South Dakota.
Main Results:
- Pine Ridge Native Americans had an 18.9 times higher RR for tuberculosis compared to the rest of South Dakota (1968-1994).
- The age-specific RR for those 65 and older was 65.7 (1985-1994).
- 70% of diabetic patients on the reservation had positive tuberculin tests; 23% of residents aged 45+ are diabetic, and controlling TB in this group could prevent 55% of cases in the 45+ age bracket.
Conclusions:
- Targeting high-risk groups, specifically diabetic patients, is a vital strategy for tuberculosis reduction.
- This approach is particularly important given current limitations in resources and personnel for TB control efforts.