Tuberculosis knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in foreign-born and US-born patients with latent tuberculosis infection.
Foreign-born individuals comprise the majority of patients treated for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in the US. It is important to understand this population's tuberculosis-related knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB) as they may affect treatment acceptance and completion. KAB in 84 US-born and 167 foreign-born LTBI patients enrolled in a clinical trial assessing treatment completion at an urban public hospital were assessed at baseline. Demographic and substance use information was also collected.


RESULTS
Of 251 participants, 66.5% were foreign-born. While misconceptions existed among both US and foreign-born regarding transmission and contagiousness of LTBI, overall knowledge scores did not differ significantly between groups. With respect to attitudinal factors, foreign-born participants were less likely to acknowledge that they had LTBI and felt more "protected" from developing TB. Improved understanding of foreign-born patients' KAB may contribute to the reduction of barriers to treatment and improved outcomes.
Charles P. Felton National Tuberculosis Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA. pwc2@columbia.edu
Paul W
PW
Colson
Julie
J
Franks
Rita
R
Sondengam
Yael
Y
Hirsch-Moverman
Wafaa
W
El-Sadr
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult