HIV-infected adolescent and adult perceptions of tuberculosis testing, knowledge and medication adherence in the USA.
HIV-infected adolescent and adult perceptions of tuberculosis (TB) infection rates and physician TB behaviour, and patient knowledge of TB transmission and treatment adherence were assessed. HIV-infected youth (N = 199) from adolescent clinical care sites in three cities and HIV-infected adults (N = 133) in New York were interviewed. Adolescent self-report was compared to medical chart review. Adolescents reported they were significantly less likely to be tested, although testing rates were high for both samples. Approximately 9% of both samples reported infection with TB; the majority of whom reported receiving medication (97%), and consistent medication adherence (93%). The overall mean knowledge score was 66%, with significant age differences: adolescents were less knowledgeable than adults, and young males tended to be less knowledgeable than young females. Age, gender and experience with TB (self-perception of TB, testing history and clinic choice) significantly predicted accuracy of knowledge about TB. Results suggest that if HIV-infected individuals--a population at very high risk and often among the least able to afford health care resources--receive the education and support they need from their community health care sources they may substantially reduce their chances of contracting and spreading TB.
Murphy
D A
DA
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. dmurphy@mednet.ucla.edu
Rotheram-Borus
M J
MJ
Joshi
V
V
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States
D000995:Antitubercular Agents