Tuberculosis knowledge among New York City injection drug users
H Wolfe, M Marmor, R Maslansky, S Nichols, M Simberkoff, D Des Jarlais, A Moss, H Wolfe, M Marmor, R Maslansky, S Nichols, M Simberkoff, D Des Jarlais, A Moss
Abstract
Structured interviews measuring tuberculosis knowledge were administered to 494 New York City injection drug users, 31% of whom reported a history of having a reactive tuberculin skin test. Medical records review of a subsample confirmed the validity of self-reported data. Most respondents understood the mechanisms of tuberculosis transmission. Three fourths of the subjects did not fully understand the distinction between a reactive skin test and active tuberculosis, but those who reported a history of skin test reactivity were twice as likely to understand this distinction. Forty percent of subjects did not understand the importance of medication adherence. Misunderstandings, based on a recent lack of tuberculosis education, may contribute to the fear and confusion that interfere with efforts to control tuberculosis.
References
- JAMA. 1991 Jun 12;265(22):2987-91
- JAMA. 1992 Jan 15;267(3):369-73
- Soc Sci Med. 1992 Feb;34(3):291-306
- JAMA. 1992 Jul 22-29;268(4):504-9
- Lancet. 1993 Jun 26;341(8861):1658-9
- J Infect Dis. 1990 Jul;162(1):8-12
- Arch Intern Med. 1979 Mar;139(3):337-9
- JAMA. 1985 May 17;253(19):2847-9
- AIDS. 1987 Sep;1(3):175-82
- N Engl J Med. 1989 Mar 2;320(9):545-50
- Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989 Nov;140(5):1194-7
- Public Health Rep. 1994 May-Jun;109(3):319-27
Source: PubMed