A study of tuberculosis among foreign-born Hispanic persons in the US states bordering Mexico

In 1996, 10% of the 20,973 U.S. tuberculosis (TB) cases were among foreign- born (FB) Hispanic persons, with the four states bordering Mexico accountin g for 83% of FBH cases. Limited information is available on this population 's health care seeking and migration practices and on differences between F B Hispanic patients In border and nonborder areas. Therefore, we conducted interviews and record reviews for all consenting FB Hispanic TB patients fr om eight counties bordering Mexico (BC; n = 167) and seven urban nonborder counties (NBC; n = 158) in these States during 1995-1997. BC patients had r esided in the U.S. longer than NBC patients (17.4 versus 10.8 yr; p < 0.01) , had immigrated more often from Mexican border communities (62.4% versus 2 5.4%; p < 0.01), and had returned to Mexico more often in the past 12 mo (7 1.5% versus 47.3%; p < 0.01). TB symptoms were present for greater than or equal to 6 mo in 37% of BC and 34% of NBC patients. Binational collaboratio n is essential for improving TB control in both countries and should extend beyond border areas of Mexico.