Background: A large percentage of adolescents, ages 12-18, starting on chemoprophylactic TB medication often fail to complete their treatment. This study seeks to develop and test the effects of innovative educational strategies targeting TB-exposed adolescents at two health centers primarily serving a Hispanic population (77.8%). Methodology: An experimental 4-group design assesses the independent and combined effects of peer counseling, a participant/parent contingency contract intervention, and a combination of peer counseling and contingency contracting, compared with a usual care control group. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the aforementioned groups. Results: A total of 794 adolescents were recruited into the study with a 79% participation rate. The overall rate of treatment completion was 79.8%. Individuals randomized to the combined peer counseling and contingency contracting group displayed the highest completion rate of 84.8% followed by the peer counseling group (80.3%), the usual care group (77.8%), and the contingency contracting group of 76.4%. Conclusion: Based on the successful results of the three-year intervention program, seminars and workshops are being planned for continuing education among TB Control staff at the two health clinics. A training manual is also being developed which contains recommendations for enhancing completion of TB treatment through tailored educational approaches.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1)identify three needs assessment procedures to define and document baseline indicators; 2)identify two evaluation approaches to assess the relative effectiveness of two intervention strategies; and 3)identify procedures to integrate successful interverntion strategies into patient care processes
Keywords: Tuberculosis, Adherence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.