SETTING: Long term resident homeless housing agency in Orlando OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of tuberculosis screening as a preventive and control measure among homeless population. DESIGN: Persons living in a homeless housing agency were screened, and those with a positive skin test or symptoms suggestive of active tuberculosis (TB) were referred to the TB clinic for evaluation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of TB infection. Compliance with screening, treatment and health education procedures. RESULTS: Of the 99 persons evaluated, 43 (43%) had one or more risk factors to develop TB of which HIV infection was the most frequent condition. 69 (70%) received a tuberculosis skin test (TST) with a compliance with the procedure of 95 percent. Of the 30 (30%) left, one (1%) patient refuse to be screened, 17 (17%) were TST already tested in the last 6 months and 11 (11%) were previous TST positive. Twenty-five (36%) of the screened cohort were TST positive and 20 patients were evaluated by chest x-ray to rule out TB. Seven fit current guidelines for treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and 6 were given isoniazid and are still complaint with treatment. CONCLUSION: Targeted testing and treatment of LTBI will increase in importance as strategy to prevent tuberculosis among high-risk communities. However, for community-based programs to be efficacious, organizational issues will include the need for active coordination with community leaders and managers of high-risk settings, tracking system for clinical follow-up and for incentives to promote adherence.
Keywords: Homeless Health Care, Tuberculosis
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.