Tuberculosis in Sheltered Homeless Population of Rome : An Integrated Model of Recruitment for Risk Management

Abstract EN

The authors show the results of an integrated model for risk management of tuberculosis in a sample of sheltered homeless in Rome.

Tuberculin skin test (TST) was used for evaluating the prevalence of latent infection (LTBI).

In TST positives, expectorate was collected and chest X-ray was achieved.

Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate determinants of infection.

Out of 288 recruited subjects, 259 returned for the TST reading; 45.56% were positive and referred to a specialized center; 70 accessed the health facility and completed the clinical pathway.

The risk factors associated to LTBI were male gender (OR=3.72), age over 60 years (OR=3.59), immigrant status (OR=3.73), and obesity (OR=2.19).

This approach, based on an integrated social network, guarantees high adherence to screening (89.93%), allowing patients testing positive for latent tuberculosis infection to be diagnosed and rapidly referred to a specialized center.