MMWR: Characteristics of Foreign-Born Hispanic Patients with Tuberculosis - Eight US Counties Bordering Mexico, 1995

This report summarizes findings of the epidemiologic study conducted by health departments in the four US states bordering Mexico (Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas) to characterize patterns of immigration and migration among foreign-born Hispanic patients with TB and their behaviors in seeking health care. The 181 consenting Hispanic patients under treatment for TB during October 1, 1995 to January 5, 1996, completed a standardized questionnaire and additional data were obtained from medical charts and laboratory reports. Drug susceptibility data were analyzed for the 169 patients who were interviewed and complete immigration history was obtained for 164 patients. Of the 169 patients, 154 were born in Mexico and 10 in Central America. Prevalences of single drug resistance among foreign-born Hispanic patients were 1.7-5.0 times higher than those among US-born non-Hispanic patients and multidrug resistance was 6.8 times higher. Prevalences among US-born and foreign-born Hispanic patients were similar.