245716 TB prevalence, screning and treatment among Filipinos in Union City, California

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Christine Araneta, PA , Asian Medical Center, Asian Health Services, Oakland, CA
  
Background: Despite declining rates of TB nationwide, TB infection and disease remains prevalent among immigrants. In Alameda County, the majority of new cases were from Asian and Pacific islanders from high endemic countries. TB cases among Filipinos in this county “hotspot”were among the highest.

Methods: A TB screening questionnaire was administered to 328 Filipino-American participants in a community health survey.

Findings: 73% of respondents (N = 240) were TB skin tested, but 27% were not including some who “did not know”. Of those skin tested, 78% (N = 187) self-reported a negative result and 22% (N = 53), a positive result. Based on self-reported skin tests, chest x-rays, symptom histories and other labs, 14% of the sample had latent TB infection and 2% had old treated TB. Of those with latent TB, only half completed the recommended 6-9 months of TB prophylaxis. Those that did not, perceived themselves to be “OK” or were not encouraged to do so by their doctors. Finally only 10% were aware of TB disease among family and acquaintances and 90% claimed not to know anyone with TB. During follow up interviews, respondents were very reticent to discuss the TB cases they were aware of.

Conclusions: TB infection was under screened and under treated, despite the known high prevalence rate among Filipinos, and in spite of the high health insurance rate of the sample. TB remains highly stigmatized.

Learning Areas:
Clinical medicine applied in public health
Epidemiology
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
To evaluate TB prevalence, screening and treatment in a community based sample of Filipino-Americans in a known TB "hotspot" area.

Keywords: Communicable Disease, Asian and Pacific Islander

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to make this presentation because I was the primary organizer and investigator for the Filipino health survey.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Secondary Prevention Research and Practice in Asian and Pacific Islander Communities
See more of: Asian Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health