The evolution of targeted populations in a school-based tuberculin testing program

Abstract

A review of tuberculosis surveillance data from a program of school-based tuberculin testing demonstrates the natural evolution of targeted populations. In the 7 years encompassed by this study, the prevalence of tuberculin reactivity ranged from 4.3% to 6.1% in the Amarillo public school populations which were tested. The initial screening was a sampling of all students in the school district. In subsequent years' screening, the targeted populations were increasingly refined to eliminate lower-risk populations. Children enrolled in "English as a Second Language" (ESL) classes were found to have an 8.5% tuberculosis infection rate. The purpose of this study was to alert nurses that culturally sensitive approaches are needed for successful future testing.