Evaluation of a tuberculosis skin testing program.
There has been a recent slowdown in the decline of rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States. However, there are disparities in TB diagnosis between U.S.-born and foreign-born persons and between Whites and minorities. Measures for achieving TB elimination include identification of high-risk persons, including children and adolescents, at increased risk of progression to TB disease. A public school district TB skin-testing program was evaluated to determine the program's efficacy in diagnosing infectious TB and the financial effect of the program on the district. Analysis of the correlation between ethnicity and a positive skin test was also performed. Results showed the TB screening program did not identify any cases of infectious TB and found no statistically significant relationship between positive test results and student ethnicity. It was also demonstrated that the school district lost state funds due to days of school missed in relation to the screening process.
Kahn
Pamela
P
Health and Wellness, Orange County Department of Education, Costa Mesa, CA, USA.
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology