Predictors of adherence to latent tuberculosis infection therapy in Latino immigrants

J Community Health Nurs. 2007 Fall;24(3):191-8. doi: 10.1080/07370010701429637.

Abstract

Adherence to Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) therapy is a continuing community problem. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of adherence to LTBI therapy in Latino immigrants at a public health clinic. A descriptive study was conducted to examine 153 randomly selected records from a population of Latino immigrant clients who had received a recommendation for 9 months of Isoniazid (INH) therapy. Most of the clients were women (64%), the mean age was 26.1, and the mean time in the U.S. was 4.58 years. The majority came from El Salvador, Bolivia, or Guatemala. Adherence dropped off in a linear fashion from month 1 (84%) to month 8 (34%). None of the demographic factors predicted adherence. Implications for community health nursing are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bolivia
  • Community Health Nursing / organization & administration
  • District of Columbia
  • El Salvador
  • Emigration and Immigration* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Guatemala
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Hispanic or Latino / education
  • Hispanic or Latino / ethnology*
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Isoniazid / therapeutic use
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance / ethnology*
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Tuberculosis* / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis* / ethnology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Isoniazid