Latent Tuberculosis Infection Screening Acceptability among Migrant Farmworkers

Obiyo Osuchukwu, Maria Nuῆez, Samuel Packard, John Ehiri, Cecilia Rosales, Eric Hawkins, José Gabino Gerardo Avilés, Francisco Gonzalez-Salazar, Eyal Oren

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection is routinely diagnosed using the tuberculin skin test (TST). New methods of detection more specific than TST such as QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) have been developed but evidence remains limited on their acceptability among migrant farmworkers. This article examined the acceptability of screening tests among migrant farmworkers working on the Arizona-Mexico border. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of migrant farmworkers via questionnaire. Of 83 participants interviewed, 53 (63.9%) believed that TB was a serious disease that could result in death and 59 (71.1%) considered TB a health concern in their community. Sixty-four participants (77.1%) rated QFT-GIT test as performing better than TST. Our study demonstrates preference for QFT-GIT results over TST, and highlights migrant farmworkers’ considering themselves at risk of TB and TB as a health concern. Policies that create easy access and culturally appropriate, affordable healthcare for this vulnerable population should be encouraged.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)62-74
    Number of pages13
    JournalInternational Migration
    Volume55
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2017

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2017 The Authors. International Migration © 2017 IOM

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Demography

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