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Adherence to tuberculosis preventive therapy among Latino immigrants
1College of Nursing and Health Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444, USA.
Public Health Nursing (Boston, Mass.)
|March 21, 1998
Summary
Latino immigrants showed declining adherence to appointments and medication for latent tuberculosis infection over six months. This highlights challenges in completing preventive therapy for this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Immigrant Health
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global and U.S. health issue, with notable resurgence among Latino immigrant communities.
- Latino immigrants, particularly those from Central America, face unique challenges in accessing and completing healthcare, including preventive therapies for latent TB infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine adherence to appointments and medication during a six-month latent tuberculosis infection preventive therapy among Latino immigrants.
- To identify factors influencing adherence, such as demographics, self-assessed health, social support, and side effects.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 65 Latino immigrants primarily from Central America undergoing six months of latent TB infection preventive therapy.
- Tracking of appointment-keeping and medication-taking adherence rates over the six-month period.
Main Results:
- Appointment adherence decreased from 81% at the first visit to 59% by the sixth monthly visit.
- Medication adherence declined from 89% in the first month to 64% at six months.
- Demographic factors, self-assessed health, social support, and reported side effects were analyzed for their impact on adherence.
Conclusions:
- Adherence to latent TB infection preventive therapy significantly decreases over the six-month treatment course among Latino immigrants.
- Findings underscore the need for targeted public health nursing interventions to improve treatment completion rates in this population.