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.
Denison
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Northwest Texas Healthcare System, J.O. Wyatt Community Health Center, Amarillo, Texas 79109, USA.
Shum
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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*