National
Center for Farmworker Health
Monthly
Topics
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that spreads through
the air. Only people who are sick with TB in their lungs are
infectious. When infectious people cough, sneeze, talk or
spit, they propel TB germs, known as bacilli, into the air.
A person needs only to inhale a small number of these to be
infected. Tuberculosis commonly attacks the lungs but can
also affect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system,
the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, bones, joints
and even the skin. It is unknown what the exact rate of tuberculosis
is among farmworkers, but they remain a very vulnerable population
that is perceived to be at higher risk for TB. Tuberculosis
in migrant farmworkers presents special problems because of
the need for long-term treatment or preventive efforts, contact
examinations, population mobility, fear of deportation, cost
of treatment, and other barriers to health care. The transient
nature of farm work and the long duration required for tuberculosis
treatment make it difficult to assure patient compliance with
screening programs, preventive therapy, and chemotherapy for
farmworkers. Language barriers and limitations in knowledge
about tuberculosis may contribute to misunderstandings about
the importance of screenings and if identified, completing
the treatment regimen. In addition, crowded living conditions
and malnutrition may contribute to the spread of tuberculosis
among this population.
Tuberculosis Patient Education Materials
| “Understanding
Tuberculosis Today /
Conozca La Tuberculosis” created by Stead,
William Steadin 2000
Educational booklet available in English and Spanish
that explains in simple language and illustrations what
TB is, how it is acquired, its symptoms and how it can
be treated.
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“¿Qué
Es La Tuberculosis O TB?”
created by Migrant Health Promotion in 2003
This flipchart defines tuberculosis and presents the
symptoms and treatment options for those who have contracted
TB. Illustrations are used to present the educational
material. It is also available in English
|
“TB
Facts For Health Care Workers”
created by The Centers for Disease Control
in 1997
This is a general education booklet about tuberculosis
for health care workers. The book contains facts, questions
and answers, prevention tactics, risk factors and information
about populations susceptible to contracting tuberculosis.
.
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“La
Vida Consumida: Tuberculosis No
Mas” created by Richard Fluck in 2000.
Fotonovela in Spanish depicting the story of a
farmworker who contracts tuberculosis. The
novela discusses the symptoms of TB, TB
testing, and steps to take to help avoid getting
the disease.
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| “La
Tuberculosis: Lo Que Debe Saber” by
the Centers for Disease Control in 2002.
Spanish brochure that details what TB is,
how it is spread, and treatments for TB.
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“Treatment
for Tuberculosis / Su Nino
con Tuberculosis” created by the American
Thoracic Society in 2003.
Booklet that provides recommendations for the
treatment of tuberculosis in settings where
mycobacterial cultures, drug susceptibility testing,
radiographic facilities, and second-line drugs are
routinely available.
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