The effect of a cultural intervention on adherence to latent tuberculosis infection therapy in Latino immigrants.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a cultural intervention (CI) on increasing adherence to latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) therapy among Latino immigrants.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE: This clinical study used a preexperimental design. A nonprobability sample of 86 Latino immigrant clients who were starting LTBI therapy were enrolled in the intervention. The comparison group was an historical sample of 131 clients' records randomly selected from the previous year.

INTERVENTION: The CI, designed by the principal investigator, was delivered by 2 Spanish-speaking interventionist nurses at each of 9 clinic visits. The intervention was based on Latino cultural values and included 5 components.

MEASURES: The patients' adherence was measured by a self-report of the number of pills taken.

RESULTS

The findings of this study were that clients in the CI group took a significantly greater number of doses of INH than those in the historical sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a CI to increase adherence to LTBI therapy shows promise for public health nursing practice.