title: Knowledge and Attitudes About Tuberculosis Among U.S.-Born Blacks and Whites with Tuberculosis.
abstract: Non-Hispanic blacks represent 13% of the U.S.-born population but account for 37% of tuberculosis (TB) cases reported in U.S.-born persons. Few studies have explored whether this disparity is associated with differences in TB-related knowledge and attitudes. Interviews were conducted with U.S.-born, non-Hispanic blacks and whites diagnosed with TB from August 2009 to December 2010 in cities and states that accounted for 27% of all TB cases diagnosed in these racial groups in the U.S. during that time period. Of 477 participants, 368 (77%) were non-Hispanic black and 109 (23%) were non-Hispanic white. Blacks had significantly less knowledge and more misconceptions about TB transmission and latent TB infection than whites. Most TB patients in both groups recalled being given TB information; having received such information was strongly correlated with TB knowledge. Providing information to U.S.-born TB patients significantly increased their knowledge and understanding of TB. More focused efforts are needed to provide TB information to U.S.-born black TB patients.
authors.affiliation: New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA, meredith.howley@health.ny.gov.
authors.forename: Meredith M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Howley
authors.forename: Chaturia D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Rouse
authors.forename: Dolores J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Colson
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirsch-Moverman
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Royce
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000635:transmission; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult