Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine whether individual educational sessions improve tuberculosis clinic follow-up rates after inmate-patients’ release into the community compared to usual care. Study subjects were inmates of a county correctional facility receiving treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Inmates beginning LTBI treatment were randomly assigned to receive either a standardized educational session or usual care. Follow-up rates at the tuberculosis clinic after jail release were determined. Of 58 subjects enrolled, 17 were released to the community while on LTBI treatment. Of these, 1 of 8 subjects who were offered an educational session and 1 of 9 who were not offered the session came to the tuberculosis clinic within four weeks of jail release. The difference was not statistically significant. Possible reasons for the high dropout rate are discussed, as are suggestions for a definitive study.
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