Latent tuberculosis infection begins with tuberculosis in Burma

Background

Burmese refugees face latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) as a health concern during resettlement in the United States. Burma is one of the 22 high incidence countries for TB. In 2009, Burma was in the top three countries for notification of suspected LTBI via the CDC’s Electronic Disease Notification system. Since 2001, approximately 4,900 refugees from Burma have resettled in Arizona. Due to exposure to active disease in their country of origin, Burmese refugees are at increased risk of developing LTBI after settling in the U.S.

Methods

Ethnographic methods were used to conduct an exploratory study of Burmese refugees’ explanatory model (EM) of LTBI. Eight audiorecorded interviews were conducted with participants diagnosed with LTBI from the Burmese Chin population in Phoenix, Arizona. A Burmese translator assisted during interviews conducted in the homes of the participants.

Results

During the process of preliminary analysis a domain was constructed from the data entitled LTBI begins with TB in Burma. Three cover terms support this domain: 1) Disparities between Burma and the U.S.; 2) Active and LTBI are not much different; and 3) Beliefs about TB but no knowledge of LTBI in Burma.

Conclusions

Upon resettling in the United States participants learned about LTBI when test results were positive. Although participants voiced LTBI required medication for treatment, not all participants initiated and completed treatment. To decrease TB health disparity in the Burmese population, education of LTBI needs to be given to refugees upon their arrival and continued during the initial years of resettlement.