Tuberculosis knowledge among New York City injection drug users.
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.
Wolfe
H
H
Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, New York University Medical Center, NY 10010, USA.
Marmor
M
M
Maslansky
R
R
Nichols
S
S
Simberkoff
M
M
Des Jarlais
D
D
Moss
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000523:psychology*; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data