TUBERCULIN REACTIVITY AMONG CALIFORNIA HISPANIC MIGRANT FARM-WORKERS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of tuberculin reactivity among re sidents of two northern California migrant-frame-worker housing center s. Participants completed a brief health questionnaire and were offere d tuberculin skin testing with radiologic and medical follow-up. Four hundred and sixty-nine persons (estimated participation rate: 70%) com pleted questionnaires. All but one were Hispanic. Two hundred and nine ty-six (63%) participants completed tuberculin skin testing and 49 (16 .6%) showed reactivity (greater than or equal to mm induration at 48-7 2 hours). Increased prevalence was seen for the 15-39-year age group ( vs. persons younger than 15: Or 2.59; 95% CI 0.79-8.47), former smoker s (vs. never smokers: OR 3.11; 95% CI 1.20-8.09), and persons born out side the U.S. (OR 2.09; 95% CI 0.66-6.61). Prophylaxis with isoniazid was recommended for 23 persons; nine (39%) completed therapy. No cases of active tuberculosis were found. Prevalence of tuberculin reactivit y in this population is lower than reported among Hispanic farm worker s in the eastern and midwestern U.S. Higher prevalence may obtain amon g California farm workers not included in the study population, includ ing homeless, single, and highly mobile persons. Public-health efforts in this population should focus on ever-smokers, young adults, and pe rsons born outside the U.S. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.