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- Title
Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Outcomes in an At-Risk Underserved Population in Rhode Island.
- Authors
Verma, Shelly; Pacheco, Cristina; Carter, E. Jane; Szkwarko, Daria
- Abstract
Objectives: Within the United States (US), significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in the rates of latent TB infection (LTBI) and active TB disease. A disproportionate number of TB disease cases result from untreated LTBI among individuals born outside the US. This study evaluates LTBI treatment outcomes among an underserved, at-risk population in Rhode Island. Methods: A quantitative retrospective chart review of adult patients with a positive screening test assessed LTBI care cascade outcomes including referral, treatment initiation, and completion. Results: Seventy-four percent of patients found to have positive screening TB tests were born outside of the US; 80% identified as Hispanic or Black and 45% spoke a preferred language other than English. Twenty-one percent of potential candidates for LTBI treatment initiated treatment. Conclusions: Major gaps were identified in referral success and treatment initiation. Expanding LTBI treatment access into primary care settings could be a solution to improve outcomes and decrease health inequities among at-risk communities.
- Subjects
RHODE Island; RACISM; LATENT tuberculosis; QUANTITATIVE research; RETROSPECTIVE studies; ACQUISITION of data; MEDICAL screening; LANGUAGE &; languages; COMMUNITY health services; TREATMENT effectiveness; RISK assessment; PRIMARY health care; MEDICAL records; MEDICAL referrals; TUBERCULIN test; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; RESEARCH funding; HEALTH equity; ELECTRONIC health records; DATA analysis software
- Publication
Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 2022, Vol 13, p1
- ISSN
2150-1319
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/21501319221111106