Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among injection drug users in Toronto.
BACKGROUND
Injection drug users are at increased risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis (TB). The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of M. tuberculosis infection among injection drug users in Toronto, as indicated by a positive tuberculin skin test result. An additional objective was to identify predictors of a positive skin test result in this population.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out involving self-selected injection drug users in the city of Toronto. A total of 171 participants were recruited through a downtown Toronto needle-exchange program from June 1 to Oct. 31, 1996.


RESULTS
Of 167 subjects tested, 155 (92.8%) returned for interpretation of their skin test result within the designated timeframe (48 to 72 hours). Using a 5-mm cut-off, the prevalence rate of positive tuberculin skin test results was 31.0% (95% confidence interval 23.8% to 38.9%). Birth outside of Canada and increasing age were both predictive of a positive result.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high burden of M. tuberculosis infection in this population of injection drug users. The compliance observed with returning for interpretation of skin test results indicates that successful TB screening is possible among injection drug users.
Rusen
I D
ID
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Ont.
Yuan
L
L
Millson
M E
ME
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014504:Urban Health