Tuberculosis screening and compliance with return for skin test reading among active drug users.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the independent and combined effects of different levels of monetary incentives and a theory-based educational intervention on return for tuberculosis (TB) skin test reading in a sample of active injection drug and crack cocaine users. Prevalence of TB infection in this sample was also determined.


METHODS
Active or recent drug users (n = 1004), recruited via street outreach techniques, were skin tested for TB. They were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 levels of monetary incentive ($5 and $10) provided at return for skin test reading, alone or in combination with a brief motivational education session.


RESULTS
More than 90% of those who received $10 returned for skin test reading, in comparison with 85% of those who received $5 and 33% of those who received no monetary incentive. The education session had no impact on return for skin test reading. The prevalence of a positive tuberculin test was 18.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
Monetary incentives dramatically increase the return rate for TB skin test reading among drug users who are at high risk of TB infection.
Malotte
C K
CK
Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach 90813, USA.
Rhodes
F
F
Mais
K E
KE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology
D016578:Crack Cocaine