The evolution of targeted populations in a school-based tuberculin testing program.
A review of tuberculosis surveillance data from a program of school-based tuberculin testing demonstrates the natural evolution of targeted populations. In the 7 years encompassed by this study, the prevalence of tuberculin reactivity ranged from 4.3% to 6.1% in the Amarillo public school populations which were tested. The initial screening was a sampling of all students in the school district. In subsequent years' screening, the targeted populations were increasingly refined to eliminate lower-risk populations. Children enrolled in "English as a Second Language" (ESL) classes were found to have an 8.5% tuberculosis infection rate. The purpose of this study was to alert nurses that culturally sensitive approaches are needed for successful future testing.
Northwest Texas Healthcare System, J.O. Wyatt Community Health Center, Amarillo, Texas 79109, USA.
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D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012572:School Health Services; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*